Nashi Pear growers have elected to be covered by the Commodity Levies (Pipfruit) Order administered by New Zealand Apples & Pears Incorporated, and therefore will not be seeking to renew their levy order.

New Zealand Apples & Pears Incorporated will be making an application to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for a new levy order to take effect from 2 December 2018.

The only significant changes proposed for the new pipfruit levy order are to:
1. Replace 'Pipfruit NZ' with 'NZ Apples & Pears'.
2. Include Nashi Pears.
3. Reduce the period for when the levy is payable from 90 days after due date to 60 days after due date.
4. Add to purposes for which levy monies can be spent:
•Attracting, retaining and developing people for the apple and pear industry.
•Biosecurity activities, including protecting the apple and pear industry from biosecurity risk.
5. Include that the collection agent is to keep records of levy payments by individual growers.
6. Retain the maximum levy at 1.5c per kilogram of apples and pears produced for consumption.

To allow time for MPI to consider the application and Government to introduce the Order to be effective from the 2 December 2018 a referendum of growers will be held over a three-week period in January/February 2018.

Those Growers (potential Levy payers) who are not registered with New Zealand Apples & Pears Incorporated should submit their names and addresses to NZ Apples and Pears Incorporated so that voting papers can be sent to them at the time of the levy referendum.

Any affected party is invited to submit any comments in writing by 16 February 2018 to:

New Zealand Apples & Pears Incorporated
PO Box 11094
Hastings 4158

Source: NZ Apples & Pears