AUSTRALIA-FRUIT FARMING.
The Pastoralists and Graziers Association (PGA) has called on the Western Australia Government to suspend a poll which will decide whether to impose a new compulsory levy on the state’s tomato growers.
The PGA has requested a formal inquiry into why the poll was called, accusing Vegetables WA of using the levy to expand its membership base.
Sheldon Mumby from the association says growers are concerned about the validity of the poll.
"We’ve had tomato growers between Carnarvon and Augusta expressing their concern that this poll by the APC is a blatant move by the WA Vegetables Growers Association to expand its membership base and it’s levy funding base," he said.
Jim Turley from Vegetables WA says growers asked the association to conduct the poll.
"Vegetables WA were asked to conduct a poll for tomato growers, we didn’t approach them at all," he said.
"They came to us and asked us to help them in their endeavours to conduct a poll with their members to see if they can have a fee for service."
The poll is due to take place on May 7.
The Minister for Agriculture has been contacted for comment.