From 1 October 2017, the Emergency Plant Pest Response (EPPR) component of the apples and pears levy and charge, currently set at nil, will increase to 0.05 of a cent per kilogram for all domestic and export apples and pears.
The funds raised through the EPPR levy will be used to repay the apple and pear industry's share of costs to respond to an outbreak of varroa mite in Queensland and exotic fruit fly in Torres Strait.
Changes to the apples (excluding juicing and processing apples) levy and charge rates are shown in the table below:
| Apples | Levy/charge component | Levy/charge rate to 30 September 2017 | Levy/charge rate commencing 1 October 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic and export | R&D | 0.72 of a cent per kilogram | 0.72 of a cent per kilogram |
| Marketing | 1.03 cents per kilogram | 1.03 cents per kilogram | |
| PHA | 0.02 of a cent per kilogram | 0.02 of a cent per kilogram | |
| EPPR | $0.00 | 0.05 of a cent per kilogram | |
| NRS | 0.075 of a cent per kilogram | 0.075 of a cent per kilogram | |
| TOTAL | 1.845 cents per kilogram | 1.895 cents per kilogram |
Changes to the pears (excluding juicing and processing pears) levy and charge rates are shown in the table below:
| Pears | Levy/charge component | Levy/charge rate to 30 September 2017 | Levy/charge rate commencing 1 October 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic and export | R&D | 0.775 of a cent per kilogram | 0.775 of a cent per kilogram |
| Marketing | 1.249 cents per kilogram | 1.249 cents per kilogram | |
| EPPR | $0.00 | 0.05 of a cent per kilogram | |
| NRS | 0.075 of a cent per kilogram | 0.075 of a cent per kilogram | |
| TOTAL | 2.099 cents per kilogram | 2.149 cents per kilogram |
GST does not apply to Australian Government levies and charges.
Note: the new apples and pears levy and charge rates will need to be used when calculating your December 2017 quarterly return, due on or before 28 January 2018.
Who is affected by the change to the apples and pears levy and charge rate?
If you produce apples or pears and sell them by retail sale, you must lodge a return and make a payment to the department.
If you are an intermediary, including a first purchaser, buying agent, selling agents or exporting agents, you must lodge a return and make a payment to the department.
If you export apples or pears - that is, you are the person who owns the apples or pears at the time of export, you must lodge a return and make a payment to the department.
You can access information about the apples and pears levy and charge on the department's website: apples levy and charge and pears levy and charge.
If you have any questions about your levies account or how to lodge your return, please contact the Levies Helpdesk by calling 1800 020 619 or by sending an email to: Levies Management.