APC CARNARVON BANANA PRODUCERS' COMMITTEE

Establishment: 

The APC Carnarvon Banana Producers’ Committee was established in 1999, after a successful poll of producers voted to administer the voluntary insurance scheme that compensates producers for cyclone and storm damage.

Previously the scheme operated under the Carnarvon Banana Industry (Compensation Trust Fund) Act 1961.

Due to the increasing threat of exotic banana diseases, Carnarvon banana producers in December 2001 voted for the following changes:

• Expand the potential services provided by the Committee from (f) to include all the service fu nctions listed (a) to (m) under Section 12.1 of the APC Act.
• Revise the Scheme Rules of the voluntary insurance scheme established under Section 12.1(f) to include compensation payments to Scheme members for banana crop destruction resulting from an eradication response to a pest or disease.
• To raise a new Fee for Service to provide funding for implementation of the Biosecurity Plan

The expansion of the service functions enabled the employment of a part time officer to conduct pest and disease surveillance, as well as the preparation of education packages and other measures as proposed in the Carnarvon Banana Hortguard Plan.  Widening the scope of the functions also provided the Committee with the ability to meet the changing requirements of the industry.

With the introduction of the National Banana Levy, which captures funds for Western Australian bio-security, the Committee resolved to suspend the bio-security Fee for Service as of 1 April 2009.

Committee Membership: 

The Committee consists of six members, all of whom are Carnarvon banana producers.

In line with good Committee governance, the Committee strives to achieve a balanced Board, with members possessing experience in a range of areas.

Committee members are elected for a three year period, and may apply for re-election once their period of tenure has expired.

On expiration of tenure, the Commission calls for expressions of interest from growers who might be interested in applying for membership on the Committee.  Should you have an interest in applying, please contact the Commission Executive Officer ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) who will place your name on a register of interested persons.

Functions:
The services that are provided by the Committee cover all service functions listed (a) to (m) in Section 12.1 of the APC Act. 

Committee Activity:

A review of Committee activity can be found in the APC Annual Report.  2009 to 2010

Fee for Service:

As of 1 April 2009 the Fee for Service applicable to Carnarvon banana producers is:

• 20 cents per 13 kilogram banana equivalent (20 cents for cyclone/storm compensation and 0 cents for bio-security).
• Fee for Service converted to kilogram= $0.0154 per kg.

Fee for Service Returns are remitted electronically in a  FSS Rates and Return form.

Compliance

Collection of Carnarvon banana producers’ Fee for Service is regulated by the  Agricultural Produce (Horticultural Industry) Regulations 2001.