Tasmania’s backyard growers, community food groups and small-scale producers will not be caught up in new horticulture safety regulations, the state government has confirmed.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff made the announcement as the second round of consultation on draft Primary Produce Safety (Horticulture Produce) Regulations wraps up tomorrow.
“I want to be clear: we are not going to make it harder for people to grow, share, donate or sell small amounts of fresh local produce in their communities,” Rockliff said.
He acknowledged the draft proposal had prompted legitimate concerns from backyard growers, community food groups, market gardeners and regional communities.
“I am directing that any final regulations must protect community food growing, food relief activities, local markets and small-scale producers from unnecessary fees, excessive paperwork and disproportionate compliance requirements,” he said.
“Food safety remains important, but common sense must prevail.”
The draft regulations propose a tiered system based on size and risk level.
Home growers producing for non-commercial purposes would face no fees, no audits and no accreditation requirements.
Larger producers growing between one and five hectares would need accreditation and face annual fees of 175 fee units, while those above five hectares would pay between 350 and 750 fee units depending on scale.
Minister for Primary Industries and Water Gavin Pearce said backyard growing is a way of life, particularly in rural and regional communities.
“No Tasmanian should need to fill out pages of paperwork, pay fees or navigate a complex regulatory process simply because they are sharing surplus produce, supporting a community food initiative or selling small quantities of fresh food locally,” Pearce said.
“If there is one clear takeaway from this, it’s that nobody will be regulated out of growing, sharing or selling local food in their community,” he said.
Independent senator Jacqui Lambie welcomed the backdown, saying Tasmanians made their voices heard.
“Whether it’s a few tomato plants in the backyard, a roadside honesty box, your local farm gate or the Sunday farmers’ market, local growers are part of what makes Tasmania special,” Lambie said.
Greens Primary Industries spokesperson Tabatha Badger welcomed what she called the Premier’s “eleventh hour intervention” scrapping the “overreaching” draft regulations.
“This is a win for thousands of Tasmanians who took a stand and it’s a win for the humble roadside veggie stand!” Badger said.
“The Greens remain ready to speak up and push back on these regulations should they return in a similar heavy-handed fashion that negatively impact Tasmania’s non-commercial, community gardens, home growers, crop swappers and small roadside vendors.”
