EXPORT efficiency powers for apples, pears and dried grapes to all export markets will be revoked from tomorrow.

Last year the Federal Government reviewed legislation that allowed Horticulture Australia Limited to set conditions on the export of horticultural produce.

Three orders relating to the export of the fruits were revoked.

Growers meet

FIFTEEN growers from across Victoria's growing regions met in Melbourne last week for the first time.

They represent about 60 per cent of Australia's pome fruit production, and influence about 80 per cent of production.

They helped identify and prioritise several opportunities to address key issues and build a stronger industry.

Apple and Pear Australia Limited manager director Jon Durham said the meeting was a success, with attendees agreeing to talk regularly to ensure the industry was "seizing opportunities" and fixing growers' "key issues".

Bumblebee help

CHRONIC exposure of bumblebees to horticultural pesticides impairs natural foraging behaviour, new studies have shown.

This affects brood care and colony productivity, states the report by Richard Gill and Juliet Osborne from the UK's London and Exeter universities.

There were clear implications for conserving insect pollinators in agricultural areas. Mr Gill said bees contributed to about 80 per cent of insect pollination.

Growers are urged to get hold of a new guide aimed at helping them manage the risk to honeybees from farm pesticides. The guide is free from the RIRDC website.

Partnerships the key

PARTNERSHIPS hold the key to the success of the global vegetable food chain, experts say. Bayer CropScience hosted the inaugural Vegetable Future Forum at its headquarters in Monheim, in Germany, last month.

More than 200 key international industry leaders, growers and value chain partners attended. The one-day event aimed to stimulate fresh perspectives on the development of fast-growth markets in the Asia Pacific and Latin America regions, the evolution of the biological market and the overall market trends and dynamics.

Horticulture united

THE chairs of six major horticulture peak industry bodies met at AusVeg headquarters in Melbourne last week to discuss the future of the sector. Horticulture Australia Limited chief executive John Lloyd met with the chairs.

  • Send your horticulture news to Alex Sampson, The Weekly Times, PO Box 14999, Melbourne, 8001, email alex.sampson@news.com.au or fax (03) 9292 2697