AUSTRALIAN dairy farmers have voted not to change the current levy investment during the 2022 Dairy Poll, conducted from February 24 to March 31.
The Dairy Poll is an opportunity for farmers to vote on the future level of the dairy service levy, which is reviewed at least every five years.
Dairy Australia has been notified by Link Market Services, the independent company engaged to conduct the vote, that ‘no change’ to the levy was preferred among farmers, receiving 64 percent of the votes. This outcome was also supported by good participation, with 44 percent of all eligible votes cast.
Dairy Australia’s managing director, Dr David Nation, said, “We value and appreciate every dollar of the dairy levy, and we will continue to invest it in ways that deliver tangible benefits to farmers.
“It was also pleasing to see 36 percent voted for an increase in levy, indicating support for the key areas identified for continuing investment – labour, regional services, climate and policy development – which are critical for our industry’s long-term success.
“We will need to consider how we address these key areas and now work to prioritise investment and services with these areas in mind, along with our current investment mix,” Dr Nation says.
These investments include research and innovation, supporting farm business management, responding to events like drought, bushfires, floods or COVID-19, developing tools to adapt to the environment and address climate, supporting on-farm employment needs, marketing of dairy products and commitment to sustainability, policy research, industry insights and international market programs.
