The referendum held during 2020 in which growers were asked if they support renewal of the commodity levy on feijoas returned a very strong vote in favour of renewal. Commodity levies have a life of six years, after which industry support is required before the levy can be renewed for another 6 years. The referendum has two votes each of which must be at least 50% in favour. The first part is a straight number of growers for and against – and we had one grower who did not support the levy. The second part totals the value of production represented by the voters, and the yes votes represented 100% of the production from everyone who voted (the grower who voted against will have had no production in the year leading to the referendum).
The new Order in Council which gives rise to the levy has been drafted and is going through the final Parliamentary processes – it is expected to come into force during January 2021.
