Establishment:

The Strawberry Growers Association requested the APC in 1995 to establish a producers committee for the Western Australian strawberry growing industry. The Association purpose for the request was so that funding could be provided to further advance the industry, to include various fields of research, promotion, inspection services and all the activities as outlined in the APC Act. Following due process the Commission conducted a successful poll of producers that let to the establishment of the APC Strawberry Producers’ Committee.

Committee Membership:

The Committee consists of 5 members, and represents all main strawberry growing areas. Secretarial duties are provided through the Strawberry Growers Association.

Functions:

The services that are provided by the Committee cover all service functions listed in Section 12.1 except (la) which was introduced to the Act when amended in year 2000.

Fee for Service:

Fee for Service for the Western Australian strawberry industry is based on four standard packages:

• Standard tray x12 punnets @ 3 cents per tray,
• Euro punnet tray                  @ 3 cents per tray
• Loose tray  x4 kg               @ 4 cents per tray
• Loose tray  x2 kg               @ 2 cents per tray

Fee for Service Returns are remitted electronically in a Microsoft Excel Return Form or by manually completing a PDF Return Form.

Compliance:

Collection of WA strawberry industry fee for service is regulated by the Agricultural Produce (Horticultural Industry) Regulations 2001.

Committee Activity:

The APC Strawberry Producers’ Committee has committed funds for the next two years to finance the process of commercializing Australian bred strawberry varieties this includes preparing production and marketing protocol to support the selection when released as a named cultivar in the market place. The aim is to increase domestic fruit sales in Western Australia through improved flavour and quality coupled with appropriate marketing tailored for the variety, matching funds for this project have been from Horticulture Australia. Fee for service funds have also been provided for the conducting of trials to evaluate new varieties bred under the National Strawberry Breeding project. The trials are been conducted in Albany, Manjimup and Wanneroo.

Current Committee activiity and financial statements can be found in the APC Annual Report

MEMBER

ADDRESS

TERM & EXPIRY

PHONE

FAX/EMAIL

Gerry Verheyen (Chairman)

35 Ross St,
JANDABUP
WA 6065

Three years,
1/06/04 to 31/05/07

9405 2894
0417 171 327

9306 2246
gaverheyen@iinet.net.au

Neil Handasyde

RMB 8549,
ALBANY
WA 6330

Three years,
1/06/06 to 31/05/09

9844 3419
0418 443 419

9844. 3594

neil.handasyde@bigpond.com

Kerry Langlands

2204 Wanneroo Rd,
NEERABUP
WA 6031

Three years,
1/06/04 to 31/05/07

9407 5358
0412 939 921

9407 5085

Wes Tweedie

116 Elliot Rd,
WANNEROO
WA 6065

Three years,
01/06/06 to 31/05/09

9405 1273
0419 937 385

9306 3015

Lot 90, Davidson St
BULLSBROOK WA 6084