Apiculture industry asked to vote on commodity levy

Monday 23 July 2018

Apiculture New Zealand asks industry to vote on the introduction of a commodity levy

Apiculture New Zealand (ApiNZ) is now consulting with the apiculture sector on the introduction of a commodity levy to help manage and leverage rapid industry growth.

Chief Executive, Karin Kos, today announced details of the levy at ApiNZ’s National Conference in Blenheim. The ApiNZ management team and Board members will hold eight consultation meetings across the country to speak with honey producers and beekeepers about their involvement in the levy process.

“Our industry has grown significantly over the past ten years, with close to 900,000 registered beehives today, compared with less than 400,000 ten years ago.

“We now need to step up and secure the future of industry through long-term investment and funding offered through a commodity levy.”

Ms Kos says the commodity will enable investment into critical areas like the health of the bee population, biosecurity, education and best beekeeping practice, sustainability, and the general support of industry, including on market access issues.

To meet the requirements of The Commodity Levies Act, the majority of industry needs to be in favour of a levy. ApiNZ will be holding a vote at the end of the consultation process. Voting opens 1 October, and closes 5 pm, 1 November.

In the apiculture industry, the core commodity is honey. A levy struck on a per-kg honey basis meets the Act’s requirements and is the most efficient means of setting a levy for our industry, similar in design to levies used to fund the horticulture and viticulture sectors.

If the vote is successful Apiculture New Zealand intends to apply for a levy order before the end of December 2018, which will come into effect by the beginning of July 2019.

For everything you need to know about the apiculture commodity levy including the consultation meeting details, visit our website: https://apinz.org.nz/levy/

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