10 July 2020

Brought to you by  Australian & New Zealand Olivegrower & Processor   www.olivebiz.com.au
Today's Top Story

Victoria’s ongoing ability to produce high-quality food and fibre in a changing climate will be the key focus of a new advisory council established by the Victorian Government. Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes today called for expressions of interest for positions on the newly established Victorian Agriculture and Climate Change Council (VACCC).

Recruitment for member positions is now underway – interested growers can apply here .
Australia
Stage three: the area included in the reintroduced stage three lockdown.

Strict new coronavirus rules, governing Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, will have a significant impact on regional farmers markets, according to the president of the state's peak body.
A new season Coratina olive oil is my choice for this dish as it's light and buttery and possesses a slight nasturtium-like flavour and pepperiness. This is a great dish to share with friends who aren’t scared of embracing oily messiness.

We just had to share this recipe, given the author’s appreciation of the varietal nuances of EVOO.
AOA Membership: helping to build a sustainable and profitable future for the olive industry
Are you an Australian Olive Association member? Thank you! Membership of the AOA helps to financially support and empower the AOA to represent your interests and to help build a sustainable and profitable future for our industry.
We appreciate your ongoing support and look forward to hearing from you in 2020/21. Please look out for your membership invoices which have now been emailed. Please check your SPAM folders and whitelist secretariat@australianolives.com.au to ensure you receive your invoice.
 
Here is a reminder of some of the many activities the AOA is able to achieve for the olive industry with your membership contribution:
  • Advocacy and representation - your voice to Government and regulators;
  • Industry risk and crisis management – protecting the olive brand and our industry; 
  • Affiliation and co-ordination with other horticulture and agriculture organizations;
  • Australian Standard for Olive oil and olive pomace oil AS 5264-2011; 
  • Code of Practice OliveCare®
  • Consumer Awareness & Education Campaigns – Everyday, Fresher Tastes Better!
  • PHA Biosecurity Levy and biosecurity management; 
  • Australian International Olive Awards and promotions; 
  • AOA National Industry Conference & Exhibition;
  • PR program and point of sale marketing merchandise; 
  • Market surveillance and reporting; 
  • Grower field days & seminars; 
  • Industry communications – Olivegrower & Processor, Friday Olive Extracts, OliveBiz
  • AOA Facebook page; 
  • TasteBook™ program; 
  • Registered pesticide minor use permits holder for industry; 
  • Voice of Horticulture Membership; 
 
Your membership contribution also entitles you to many direct benefits which can provide major competitive advantages: 
  • The opportunity to obtain certification through the OliveCare® program, which can provide a competitive edge when marketing olive oil;
  • Discounted magazine subscriptions and tickets to workshops and annual industry events such as the National Industry Conference & Exhibition and Australian International Olive Awards – knowledge and awards which can set your business apart;
  • Access to the Members Lounge of the AOA website, which contains invaluable olive-related resources and exclusive emails relating to export for those signed up to the AOA Export Register.
 
Not a member? Help us help you. New members receive a FREE copy of the Olive Growing Book, valued at $165. Click here for more details on the benefits of becoming a member today.

Australia’s agricultural trade has held relatively steady during the COVID-19 pandemic, however the export of some commodities such as seafood, have seen a downturn. 
In the early stages of COVID-19, there were significant concerns for Australian agricultural trade and the impacts we may see. Over the past few months however, agricultural trade has thankfully held relatively steady.
Have your say on the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement
Provide your feedback to DFAT on the first 5 years of trading under the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement by 31 July 2020.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is seeking feedback on the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA), now in its 5th year. Businesses and any other interested stakeholder can provide a written submission on the impact ChAFTA has on your business: how it has affected your competitiveness in the market, and your ease and cost of doing business. The input received will help inform DFAT’s five year Post-Implementation Review (PIR) of the ChAFTA.
Interested stakeholders have until 31 July 2020 to make their submissions. Find out more and make a submission here.

Got something to sell? Or want to buy? Go direct to your target market – olive growers and producers.
If you’ve got something industry-related to sell, you can reach your target market directly with Olivebiz Classifieds. Our online Classifieds service is an easy and inexpensive solution to advertising your unwanted equipment, extra oil - or even your grove. And if there’s something you’re looking for, it’s the ideal way to get the message out loud and clear to your peers and industry associates – the most likely to have what you need.
Olivebiz Classifieds cost just $40 for AOA members ($100 for non-members), including a text ad and link through to either your web page or images hosted on our site. And you don’t need to be a tech-head: just send us your info and we’ll post it up for you.

Olivebiz Classifieds are online now at www.olivebiz.com.au/classifieds. To arrange a listing, contact Gerri at editor@olivegrower.com.au.

A report investigating a biodiversity certification scheme that would reward farmers for looking after their natural environment is set to be released in the coming weeks.
Harvest Trail update
Harvest Trail Services and the Harvest Trail Information Service connect workers with employers in harvesting areas across Australia. In April, the Federal Government announced changes to Harvest Labour Services to encourage more Australian job seekers to take up seasonal work, including an expansion of services into 16 horticulture regions experiencing labour supply difficulties across Australia, and new financial incentives for providers placing and keeping Australian job seekers in seasonal work.
The Harvest Trail website has also been revamped and a National Harvest Guide published. More information here.
Horticulture Award: annual wage review

The Fair Work Commission has announced an increase in the national minimum wage and the modern award minimum wages of 1.75 per cent. The Commission has taken into account the effect that COVID-19 had on the horticulture industry by delaying the effective operation date from July to November. Therefore, the Award minimum wages will take effect from the beginning of the first pay period on or after 1 November 2020.
More information here.
The Victorian Farmers Federation says completing the Murray Basin Rail Project would boost the national economy and job growth.

Victoria's peak farming body has pointed to new independent research, which it says further highlights the need for urgent completion of the stalled Murray Basin Rail Project.
Webcam security: how to stop your camera from being hacked 

Webcams are everywhere: in our laptops, in our security systems, and in our phones wherever we go. Yet webcam security is often a blind spot for even the most secure systems, leaving most vulnerable to hacking. 
It’s something we all need to be aware of – and act on – so here’s a user-friendly blog article to help you learn how to tell if your webcam is hacked, and find out how to improve your webcam security and protect your privacy. Access the article here.
Opportunities
The Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement will come into force on 5 July 2020.

The date has been set on Australia’s new Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Indonesia, thanks to news that Indonesia completed their domestic ratification process on 6 May 2020. From 5 July 2020, The Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) will be in effect for Australian exporters to take advantage of.
Events
2020 WA Olive Awards
The 2020 WA Olive Awards is going ahead, once again under the expert guidance of Chief Judge Isabelle Okis. Key dates are:
Entries open - Monday, 24 August
Entries close - Friday, 11 September
Results announced - Monday, 19 October
Queries to Chief Steward Ellen Slobe on 0411 293 398 or ellen.slobe@gmail.com
The entry pack will be available shortly on the Olives WA website - www.oliveswa.com.au.
International

Think of Mediterranean cuisine and olive oil is one of the first things that instantly pop to mind. Rich in monosaturated fatty acids, packed with antioxidants and boasting impressive anti-inflammatory properties, it's one of the healthiest bottled fats – and China is now waking up to the wonders of this deep golden cooking liquid.
The Italian farmers' group Coldiretti opposes the controversial French food labeling system, saying it underrates the health benefits of olive oil.

A dramatic drop-off in demand for Italian olive oil amid the COVID-19 pandemic has put the owners of more than 400,000 olive growers of all sizes at risk of financial collapse, Italy’s main agricultural union Coldiretti said in a study released Friday.

While others say …

Extra virgin olive oil consumption in Italy is estimated to grow by six percent over the next 10 years, according to a newly released report from the Italian Confederation of Agriculture (CIA) and Nomisma, a market research consultancy.

The Spanish Interprofessional of Olive Pomace Oil (Oriva) has pledged 190,000 liters of pomace oil to the country’s Horeca sector (hotels, restaurants and catering) as a gesture of support in their efforts to resume post-lockdown operations.
Ancient: The tree is believed to have been planted in the 9th century. Credit: Asociación Española de Municipios del Olivo. 

A more than thousand year old olive tree in the Sierra de Tramuntana mountains in Fornalutx has been named a national monument. The AEMO Spanish Association of Olive Municipalities has chosen the tree as the 2020 Best Monumental Olive in Spain.

Thousands of tons of Kalamata olives remain idle in many producing territories of the country as a result of the pandemic and the closure of eateries.
Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news
With 2020 now well underway Friday Olive Extracts  (FOE) continues to bring all the latest industry news and events to your Inbox every week. THE place to share olive industry news, event details and reminders, our industry e-newsletter keeps growing in popularity and we now have nearly 4000 subscribers across the globe. If you’re not one of them,  you can sign up here.
And please remember that FOE is YOUR e-newsletter, so we’re keen to receive your news and help spread the word. Just email your information to Editor Gerri Nelligan at  editor@olivegrower.com.au - it’s free, and the best way to reach your fellow industry members!
Photo courtesy of University of Jaén.

Researchers from the University of Jaén have developed a tool to more precisely monitor soil erosion. It may help growers to estimate future damage and put in place preventive measures.

Olive growers and oil producers are resuming their public campaigns calling for more support for a sector in turmoil.
What's On
2020

31 July 
Entries close, 2020 Royal Adelaide Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Table Olives Competition – Adelaide, SA  

24 August 
Entries open, 2020 WA Olive Awards – Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition

29 August
Results announced, Golden Olive Awards – Vic, Australia

September TBA
World Team Tasting Championship

4 September
Entries close, 2020 Australian International Olive Awards

11 September 
Entries close, 2020 Hunter Olive Show – Hunter Valley, NSW

11 September
Entries close, 2020 WA Olive Awards – Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition

5 October
Results emailed to entrants, 2020 Australian International Olive Awards

19 October 
Results emailed to entrants, 2020 WA Olive Awards – Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition

22 October
Awards Presentation, 2020 Hunter Olive Show – Hunter Valley, NSW

2021

23-25 March
Soil CRC Participants Conference

7-9 June 
Hort Connections 2021 – Brisbane, Qld

15-17 October 
AOA National Olive Conference & Trade Exhibition – Devonport, TAS

To include your event, or update your existing event details, email FOE editor Gerri Nelligan at  editor@olivegrower.com.au
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