Farming issues and policies

Farming issues and policies

Small Business Commissioner Office Success

Small Business Minister, Tom Kenyon says the Office for the Small Business Commissioner has achieved an outstanding success rate of more than 87% in solving disputes since it began operating in March last year.

"The Office has received more than 4,200 enquiries and investigated 339 cases with 261 of them now closed," Mr Kenyon said.

"These are significant results as the Office approaches its first year of operation and the number of queries and disputes handled by the Office so far continues to demonstrate why we need to have this important dispute resolution function in SA.

"The Office has clearly given small businesses, franchisees and tenants a place where they can have their issues resolved at no, or very low cost, if it proceeds to formal mediation."

"Mr Kenyon says the Commissioner's active and completed case load shows the spread of their activities so far and includes:

  • 40 per cent related to general business to business
  • 27 per cent related to retail and commercial tenancies
  • 16 per cent in franchising
  • 8 per cent business to State Government
  • 5 per cent in farming
  • 4 per cent in business to local government

"Work is also underway to further provide businesses across the State with an additional range of information to help them with decision making and to reduce disputes which can be costly and time consuming," Mr Kenyon said.

"The Commissioner is also continuing to inquire into the ways in which Inset or Embedded Electricity Networks operate in SA.

"This Inquiry is looking at network arrangements and the different methods used to determine the power prices charged to business operators, as well as anti-competitive behaviour.

"The Office is also developing a series of industry codes aimed at creating a regulatory landscape aimed at resolving disputes without resorting to costly court action.

"I strongly encourage all small business owners to contact the Office of the Small Business Commissioner if they're having difficulties resolving a dispute," Mr Kenyon said.

The Office can be contacted on: Toll free 1800 072 or on 8303 2026; email at sasbc@sa.gov.au or via the website at sasbc.sa.gov.au

 

Groups unite to call for greater power price cuts

The South Australian Council of Social Service has joined with the SA Farmers' Federation, SA Unions and Uniting Communities to call on the Essential Services Commission of South Australia (ESCOSA) to provide a further reduction to electricity prices.

To read the full media release, please click here.

 

Farmers Panel on the Grains Industry

At a Rural Media South Australia meeting on 17 October 2012 Heather Baldock, a farmer from Buckleboo, spoke about the "Future Challenges for the Grains Industry in South Australia" and gave her opinion about why GM crops are required. The following is a copy of Heather's presentation. Please click here to view the document.

 

Policy Development at SAFF

SAFF Policies are developed by the Management Sections of the Federation whose members are regionally elected from the SAFF membership. Policies are then accepted by the SAFF Board, and under certain circumstances, the Board has the right of veto.

SAFF has a range of detailed policies covering various areas, listed below. SAFF members are eligible to receive more detailed information regarding our policies, on request.


General Issues and Policies

  • Biotechnology
  • Drought – Exceptional Circumstances
  • Drought – Freight Subsidies
  • Education
  • Emergency Services Levy
  • Property Rights Drought - Freight Subsidies
  • Rural Health
  • Transport

Livestock Issues and Policies

  • Animal Health – Levy on Wool
  • Animal Welfare
  • Anthrax Vaccine
  • Bovine Johnes Disease (BJD)
  • Goat Industry Council of Australia Membership
  • Hormonal Growth Promotants
  • Lamb Branding
  • Livestock Production Assurance
  • National Livestock Identification Scheme
  • National Livestock Identification Scheme Bobby Calves
  • National Livestock Identification Scheme Sheep and Goats
  • Research and Development
  • SA Primary Industry Funds
  • SA Cattle Industry Fund Levy
  • SA Sheep Industry Fund Levy

Grains Issues and Policies

  • Barley
  • Wheat
  • Gene Technology
  • Harvest Pricing
  • Quality Assurance
  • Quarantine
  • Research and Development
  • Transport, Handling and Storage

Wine Grapes Issues and Policies

  • Global Marketing of Premium Wine
  • Mandatory Code of Conduct
  • National Register of Vines
  • Trade Practices Act and Unilateral Variation

Natural Resources Issues and Policies

  • Wombat Management
  • Bird Management
  • Dingo
  • Natural Resources Management (NRM) Planning
  • Invasive Pest Animals
  • Overabundant Native Animals
  • Kangaroo Management
  • SAFF Carbon Trading Policy
  • Native Title and Indigenous Land Use Agreements
  • Reconciliation
  • Biodiversity Trading
  • Water Management
  • Draft Water Resources Management (Plantation Forestry)
  • Murray Darling Basin
  • Regrowth Management Plans for Native Vegetation Regulation 5(1)(zfa)