From 1 January, melons produced in Australia and sold by a producer to a first purchaser, including to a selling agent, buying agent, exporter or exporting agent, will attract a levy and export charge of 0.4 cents per kilogram.

The levy funds should provide the Australian melon industry with a reliable source of funding to undertake high priority R&D and biosecurity preparedness activities. They will be managed through Horticulture Innovation Australia and Plant Health Australia.

Growers voted by a two-thirds majority in November 2015 to commence both R&D and biosecurity levies.

A producer who sells more than 20 tonnes of melons by retail sale each financial year is liable to pay the levy.

Types of melon that can be levied are: Charentais melon; Galia melon, also known as Hami melon, Honeydew melon, also known as Piel de sapo, Horned melon, Korean melon, rockmelon and watermelon.

Growcom says that a Strategic Investment Advisory Panel will be formed by Hort Innovation to guide how the levy funds will be spent. Expressions of interest will be called in the next few weeks.

For more information, visit: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/levies/notices/dec-2016-melon