A 25 fold increase in Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) fees has prompted the Victorian Farmers Federation to call upon Federal Agriculture Minister, Barnaby Joyce to review the inflated charges.
Victorian fruit grower, Darren Argiro said that AQIS export registration fees had increased from $330 to an exorbitant $8530 within a two year period, The Weekly Times Now reports.
“That's a 25-fold increase, which we can't afford. How's that justified?'' Mr Argiro said.
"We only use these sheds 2-4 months of the year.''
The steep increase in fees is feared to potentially force growers to cease exporting – contrary to the Nation’s vision of becoming Asia’s food bowl.
VFF Horticulture president, Owen Brinson said that the The Liberal government’s election commitment to reduce $1b of red tape for Australian businesses “needs to happen now.”
"We're constantly trying to expand our markets in Asia, yet Government agencies seem hell bent on putting obstacles in our way,'' said Brinson.
"How are we meant to remain competitive on the world stage, when we're being hit with higher regulatory costs?''