Over the next few months, various vegetable product groups, including TomatoesNZ and HortNZ will be asking you to vote to renew the commodity levy funding that keeps these organisations going. We are required to undertake a referendum every six years to establish continued support for this funding mechanism.

In summary, we are proposing no significant changes to the individual levies that fund the organisations.

These are the kind of activities that levy funds go towards

• Research, development and extension, to help you meet challenges through new growing techniques
• Advocacy, in the key policy areas of land, water, emissions, crop protection, and labour – working closely with HortNZ – so the industry can thrive again, and New Zealanders can be confident of good food supply and security
• Biosecurity: keep pests and diseases out, while being ready to act should they enter the country
• Better export access, so the industry can continue to expand
• Support in a crisis: advocacy in Wellington as well as practical advice
• Promoting the increased consumption of vegetables.

What we need from you

What's proposed?

TomatoesNZ proposes that there will be no change to the current Commodity Levy of 0.35%. This equates to 35c per $100 at the first point of sale for both domestic and export sales.

The maximum rate is 0.50% per $100 with the annual rate set every year as proposed by the board and with agreement by you, the members, at the AGM.