Australia's citrus trade body for NSW is under threat

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Australia's citrus trade body for NSW is under threat

Australia's largest citrus growing area could be without an industry association following a majority vote to dissolve Riverina Citrus, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported.

Growers in Griffiths, in the south west of New South Wales, voted to disband the organization.

It's believed a motion was made for the board to resign but this was not accepted.

Producer Carmel La Rocca said the organization was aware that growers were unhappy with the board long before the recent petition to have the industry body wound up.

"We've actually spoken to them on numerous occasions about the concerns of the farmers, the fact that they were not happy with the way the levies had been taken and yet there was no transparency and no real hope for them," she was quoted as saying.

La Rocca said growers questioned why it was necessary to pay the levies.

NSW Agriculture Minister Katrina Hodgkinson won't comment on the result.

It's understood she needs to receive a formal request from citrus growers to conduct another poll through the electoral commission.

Half of the Riverina's 400-plus growers are required to vote for an official result.

www.freshfruitportal.com

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