ACCC report reinforces concerns over Hort Code failings

“WASTE of space” was how one South Australian grower described the Horticulture Code of Conduct during the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) regional engagement workshops earlier this year. A Tasmanian grower representative suggested there had been no genuine change in industry practice since the Code’s introduction, while a New South Wales grower representative said he didn’t know a grower that operated with a Horticulture Produce Agreement, something that is required under the code. The comments came out of the ACCC’s report, “Perspectives in horticulture and viticulture – Industry views on competition and fair trading issues”, released this week.