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ABC News
05-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Australian Cannabis Cultivator Guild forms, calling for action on 'import-flooded' market
Australian farmers are warning of "catastrophic failures" in the medicinal cannabis industry if the government does not reduce its reliance on international imports. A newly formed alliance argues gaps in supply are being plugged by A country's permitted supply is decided based on its demand for medicinal cannabis, but it may require imports when it cannot meet that level. Domestic farmers say they could meet demand themselves, but due to rigorous and expensive licensing processes, local farmers say they are struggling to compete with cheaper imports. Some have outsourced parts of their business overseas in an attempt to compete, something that is driving up costs. The newly formed Australian Cannabis Cultivators Guild has warned of a "bleak reality" ahead if changes are not made to advantage local growers. ( ABC Rural: Laurissa Smith ) The Australian Cannabis Cultivators Guild was formed on the back of Australian farmers' concerns. Its membership comprises more than 80 per cent of domestic-licensed medical cannabis production. In a letter to the federal health minister, the guild warned of a "bleak reality" ahead. "Without change, we expect to see catastrophic failures across local cultivators, resulting in bankruptcies which will impact Australian supply in the long term," the guild wrote. " The current trajectory will end with few to no Australian producers and a market supplied entirely by imports from countries that don't allow reciprocal imports. " The federal health minister has been contacted for comment. The Therapuetic Goods Administration says it has brought in requirements for overseas manufacturers of medicinal cannabis, but local growers say they are still disadvantaged. ( ABC News: Scout Wallen ) The threats to Australian growers In 2023, 61 per cent of medicinal cannabis in Australia was imported, according to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The TGA said in a statement it introduced requirements for overseas manufacturers, resulting in equivalent standards for all products supplied in Australia, regardless of where they're made. "This addressed Australian producers' concerns about lack of a 'level playing field', which placed a higher regulatory burden on them due to the requirement for them to manufacture under GMP [Good Manufacturing Practice] in Australia," it said. Tasmanian farmer Cade Turland said he and other farmers still faced inequities, believing overseas processes were not as lengthy or restrictive as those they had to undergo. Australian medicinal cannabis growers are concerned about what they say is an unequal market. ( ABC Rural: Laurissa Smith ) He said he worried imports were not regulated or tested as thoroughly as locally grown products. The TGA said all products must comply with the Australian Quality Standard for medicinal cannabis. Mr Turland said establishing a growing facility took anywhere between two and four years, meaning money was "tied up for a long period of time". He said Australian farmers pay about $50,000 annually to maintain their medicinal cannabis licenses, including costs like random and routine inspections, which were between $4,800 and $12,800. According to the TGA, there are no fees for a licence and permit to import medicinal cannabis. Mr Turland says setting up a medicinal cannabis growing facility can take anywhere between two and four years. ( ABC News: Maren Preuss ) Speaking as part of the new alliance, Mr Turland said it was unfair that countries such as Canada — which is Australia's biggest importer — can import to Australia, but those countries did not allow imports in return. "Because they have an oversupply and we have an under supply … what we find is that we don't even have access to these same markets," Mr Turland said. " There's no reciprocal trade at all. " Photo shows People in lab coats and hair nets stand in the doorway of a room full of cannabis plants under lights. Laws around cannabis use are changing in countries like France and Germany, and Australian farmers are hoping to make millions. Mr Turland said domestic producers outsourcing production overseas meant Australia was missing out on an estimated 5,500 jobs. The TGA said there were 29 cultivation and production permits and 10 manufacture permits for medicinal cannabis in Australia. Mr Turland said that could meet local demand but "imports are constantly stifling that growth for domestic producers". "This … flood of imports is ultimately squashing the ability for domestic producers to meet domestic demand," he said. The TGA said the Office of Drug Control (ODC) published the amount of approved domestic cultivation on its website. "As demand for medicinal cannabis continues to grow in Australia, the ODC is not able to comment on future supply needs and commercial decisions of licence holders to grow product." Mr Turland wants to see a domestic-first policy which would allow Australian growers to fill the supply amount permitted by the government, before handing importers any portion leftover — as happens with other industries. " So the Australian producers produce, let's say it's 50 tonnes, and if there's a 20-tonne gap, that's given to importers. " The TGA said the decision on whether to enforce an Australian-first policy was not a decision for the ODC. To outsource, or not to outsource jobs Craig Knight's business, Tasmanian Botanics, grows and manufactures cannabis into products on site. Mr Knight said that meant imported cannabis products "doesn't really affect us too much". "We're … set to compete," he said. Craig Knight's business grows and manufactures medicinal cannabis products. ( ABC News: Maren Preuss ) But Mr Knight acknowledged the current climate was challenging for others. " A product that might have got you six dollars a gram now might only get you three dollars a gram because the imports are coming in … so that would be challenging. " Photo shows Medicinal cannabis plantations across open field outside with hills in the distance. The amount of money Australians are spending on medicinal cannabis continues to skyrocket, with new data showing this year's sales are on track to double those from 2023. Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson — who uses medicinal cannabis to treat chronic pain — said the current system "alarmed" him, and that he'd be raising the issue in parliament. "I support the most rigorous standards possible to make sure that the medicine that we use is appropriate, that it's been checked, and that it goes through the appropriate checks and balances." Senator Whish-Wilson said he feared local growers would not immediately be able to make the move to manufacturing medicinal cannabis products. "They're saying that they've got their backs to the wall and they're going to [be impacted] if governments don't listen to their concerns," he said. The TGA said there were only two medicinal cannabis products approved on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) — Sativex (nabiximols) which is used to treat certain patients with multiple sclerosis and Epidyolex (cannabidiol) which is used for patients with certain seizure disorders. "However, most medicinal cannabis products accessed in Australia are not on the ARTG and are referred to as 'unapproved' therapeutic goods," the agency said. It said unapproved products were not assessed by the TGA for quality, safety or efficacy, and could only be accessed via the Special Access Scheme, the Authorised Prescriber Scheme and clinical trials.
ABC News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Australian politicians asked if they wear wool ahead of federal election
Questions about fashion choices might be more likely on a red carpet in Hollywood than on a federal election campaign. But in the weeks leading up to today's poll, the ABC has asked sitting and aspiring politicians what they are wearing on the hustings. The idea came from Victorian sheep farmer Rebecca Hamilton. Election essentials: Find out where your Ms Hamilton, who runs 15,500 merino ewes at Maldon in central Victoria, said the wool industry was aching but the message was not getting through to city people. So she called into ABC Local Radio in Melbourne early on in the campaign. "You interviewed opposition leader] Peter Dutton this morning and you interviewed the prime minister [Anthony Albanese] this week too," Ms Hamilton said. " When you're interviewing politicians, can you please ask them what their suits are made out of? " ABC Rural took up the challenge, and emailed every sitting MP running for re-election, and all senators, to ask if they were wearing Australian wool on the campaign trail. A total of 211 emails were sent by the ABC to which 31 sitting parliamentarians replied. Rebecca Hamilton wants to know if politicians are wearing wool during the election. ( Supplied: Rebecca Hamilton ) So who's wearing wool? About half of the politicians who replied were sitting MPs in the House of Representatives. A majority said they proudly wore wool, including Liberals Henry Pike, Jason Wood and Dan Tehan as well as the Nationals' Sam Birrell. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins and her Labor colleagues Andrew Leigh, Steve Georganas and Matt Thistlewaite also said they were wearing wool suits. "I try not to wear suits, but yes some are Australian wool, as is my jumper," Labor MP Rob Mitchell said. Sam Birrell wears suits made of Australian merino wool. ( ABC Rural: Warwick Long ) Wool grower and former Nationals leader, Barnaby Joyce, said he wore superfine Australian merino wool suits, ties, socks and jumpers. Former menswear store owner, independent candidate for Monash, Russell Broadbent, said a well-fitting, high-quality suit made from Australian natural fibres "gives me many reasons to smile". The only MP to admit that wool was a rarity in their wardrobe was Liberal MP Keith Wolahan. He said he hardly wore wool on the campaign trail in his suburban Melbourne seat of Menzies. "I mostly wear a $20 polyester, cotton dark blue vest, with my name on it. Otherwise, I love wool," he said. Steve Georganas just purchased a new Australian wool suit. ( Supplied: Steve Georganas ) Queensland rural independent MP Bob Katter's office said "Mr Katter is famously referred to as the best-dressed man in parliament, and he attributes this to his dedication to Australian-made". But they did not say if he wore Australian wool. Read more about the federal election: Want even more? Here's where you can find all our 2025 Catch the latest interviews and in-depth coverage on Not as easy for women Of the 76 senators in the Australian parliament, 16 responded to the ABC's questions about wool. Almost all of them said they had worn wool during the campaign, including Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, the Nationals' Bridget McKenzie, and Jacqui Lambie. SA Liberal senator Leah Blyth said clothing choices were limited for women in politics. "Men's suits are predominantly wool or wool blend — women's are not," she said. " Women also can't get away with wearing one suit jacket on the campaign trail. " Production costs are rising for Australian wool producers. ( ABC Rural: Emma Brown ) Tasmanian independent senator Tammy Tyrrell said cost had a big impact on what people bought. "I'm going to be completely honest: I definitely have polyester suits at home but I'm trying to be more conscious about what I buy," she said. "In a cost of living crisis, it's tough for people to choose a good Aussie wool suit over one from Kmart. "We need to find the balance between paying producers properly for their product and making items accessible to the everyday Aussie." Australian suit maker Anthony Squires even has a style named The Prime Minister's Suit, having dressed PMs since 1949. But the current crop of leaders, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, Nationals leader David Littleproud and Greens leader Adam Bandt, didn't get back to the ABC to say whether wool was in the mix for them. Dan Tehan (right) says all his suits are Australian wool. ( Supplied: Dan Tehan ) Why does wool matter? The wool industry was a mighty force in the 1950s when "Australia rode on the sheep's back". But since then things have turned from bad to worse. Australian wool production is in decline. ( ABC News: Floss Adams ) Cheap fast fashion made from synthetics is being churned out across the globe, while production costs have increased for wool producers. Data from the Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee (AWPFC) shows that by mid-2025 the amount of wool being produced by Australian farmers will be the lowest in more than 100 years. Only about Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton shake hands ahead of their second leaders debate aired on the ABC. ( ABC News: Matt Roberts ) Wool producer Rebecca Hamilton said she wanted to make enough money to stay in an industry she loved, but the numbers were not adding up. "We sold 20,000 sheep last year and in 2022 we made $170 per head but in 2024 we made an average of $98 per head," she said. "We still haven't sold last year's spring wool clip because wool prices are so low and we are still holding on but our accountant is starting to suggest that we need to sell something." Ms Hamilton wants politicians to support the struggling sheep and wool industry. ( Supplied: Lauren Day ) Hearing that several politicians were wearing wool was comforting to Ms Hamilton, but Wool Producers Australia president Steve Harrison said governments could do more. He said lower taxes on farmers, cheaper labour and help to find new markets were where the government could turn the tide for wool. "Government could help put woollen carpet in buildings like they do in New Zealand, that would help," he said. "We need government's help to get the clean, green image of wool out to the world." Superfine merino wool is spun into yarn. ( ABC Landline: Kerry Staight ) Loading Having trouble seeing this form? Try
ABC News
01-05-2025
- ABC News
Lexton farmer target of three 'coordinated' sheep thefts costing $175k
A Victorian farmer has become a victim to a sophisticated, coordinated farm theft attack costing him more than $175,000. Steve Wheeler has had more than 1,700 sheep stolen from his Lexton farm on the Sunraysia highway north-west of Melbourne in the past two years. In the latest heist, 1,115 fine-wool merinos were taken from his property between February 25 and March 28. They included 600 unshorn and mixed sex merino lambs that had been drafted off as the best of the mob, valued at $60,000. There were also 500 older merino ewes stolen and six prized rams valued at about $70,000. Cross-bred sheep at Steve Wheeler's farm in Lexton, western Victoria. ( ABC Rural: Jane McNaughton ) Western Region Crime Squad Detective Senior Constable Greg Broom said it now appeared to be a targeted series of crimes. "This was not a random act — we believe this was a carefully coordinated theft that has left a local farmer significantly out of pocket," he said. " Moving this volume of stock requires planning, knowledge, and resources. " Detective Senior Constable Broom said all of the sheep were fitted with electronic ear tags and the criminals would have used a large livestock transport vehicle to move such large numbers. Criminal target In 2023, Then in November that same year, the rustlers returned, taking 16 highly valued merino rams. Police suspect the same offenders may be responsible for all three incidents and are urging anyone in the area who noticed any suspicious activity to come forward. "We're calling on the farming and transport sectors to stay alert — whether it's sudden increases in livestock numbers, unexpected wool sales, or suspicious land leasing enquiries," State Farm Crime Coordinator Inspector Paul Hargreaves said. "Even a small detail could help solve this case." ABC Ballarat — local news in your inbox Get our local newsletter, delivered free each Wednesday Your information is being handled in accordance with the Email address Subscribe
ABC News
28-04-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Apples grown on Australian mainland to be exported to China for first time
As The decision is being celebrated by growers hoping to cash in on a market already worth hundreds of millions of dollars to Australian horticulture. "It's a great, great outcome," Apple and Pear Australia head of government relations Jeremy Griffith said. "Our growers will now have access to the huge China market." Tasmanian apples have had access to the Chinese market since 2010, but apples from mainland Australia have missed out until now. That was due to so-called technical trade barriers, which require biosecurity protocols to be in place to allow the export of fresh produce that could carry pests and diseases from one country to another. Tasmania is free of fruit fly, but the mainland is not, and Australia was waiting on China to approve protocols relating to the control of fruit fly. Orchards exporting apples to China will need to be registered. ( ABC Rural: Sophie Johnson ) Mr Griffith said the deal, which had taken years to negotiate, had now been done. "That's all been agreed to between our government and the Chinese government," he said. "Orchards need to be registered, there needs to be cold treatment [of fruit], so hopefully everything will be ready to go for the 2026 harvest." A Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry spokesperson confirmed the government had secured technical market access protocols for mainland apples to be sent to China. "This will be beneficial to Australian apple farmers looking to enter new trade markets," the spokesperson said. " We will continue to work with our apple industry to support their ability to meet the protocol requirements. " The announcement comes after 10 Australian abattoirs were this week given the ability to export Market access worth millions According to the Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA), which represents a large network of the horticulture industry, China bought $380 million worth of Australian fruit and vegetables in 2024 alone. AFPA chief executive Claire McClelland said it was yet another opportunity for Australian agriculture to improve its relationship with one of its biggest buyers. "Securing access to China for Australian apples is a significant achievement for the sector and provides an important new opportunity for growers," she said. "This announcement highlights the value of stable, two-way trade with China and the importance of continuing to strengthen that relationship for the benefit of both countries." Ninety per cent of Australian apples are grown on the mainland. ( ABC News: Tim Lee ) Stability for struggling growers Ninety per cent of Australian apples are grown on the mainland, and the industry has lacked lucrative export markets for decades. Mr Griffith said that had left growers at the mercy of supermarkets. "Australian growers are very reliant on the domestic market, which is 66 per cent controlled by Coles and Woolworths, so we've been very much exposed to two buyers," he said. "There has been a lot of pressure on Australian growers with increasing costs and that inability to pass those costs on to supermarkets because of their buying power. " The opportunity to find an alternative market is a huge opportunity for the industry. " The Coalition has been contacted for comment. ABC Rural RoundUp newsletter Stories from farms and country towns across Australia, delivered each Friday. Your information is being handled in accordance with the Email address Subscribe
ABC News
28-04-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Banana prawn fishers face 'worst' conditions yet in late Queensland wet season
It is the season of banana prawns in northern Australia, but trawler operators in the Gulf of Carpentaria say they are coming back to shore with not much in the nets. Queensland's late wet season devastated towns and agriculture across the state, and the latest victim is the banana prawn industry, which is grappling with the worst season many have ever seen. Whether consumers will feel the pinch is yet to be determined. Bryan Van Wyk says he has not ever seen a banana prawn season this poor. ( Supplied: Bryan Van Wyk ) That is because much of last year's bumper season is sitting in freezers across the country, according to Bryan Van Wyk, who manages Austral Fisheries' northern prawn division. "There's still a lot of leftover prawn stock around on the market from previous big years," he said. "We've got the worst of both worlds … a market that is reasonably full, which means lower prawn price, and the lowest productive season we've ever seen." Call to consumers Prawn sales tend to skyrocket twice a year — Christmas and Australia Day. Banana prawns are usually flushed into the Gulf of Carpentaria with the first downpour early in the year. ( ABC Rural: Abbey Halter ) As this season's banana prawns hit the shelves, private Carpentaria and Northern Prawn Fishery trawler manager Greg Albert urged people to consider seafood as a protein source when grocery shopping, especially as steak prices had risen. "The price of prawns has basically been the same for the last five years in the supermarkets, yet I think it's just the habits of the consumer," he said. "They're more economical than some of the other proteins." Greg Albert wants more people to eat prawns to support the local industry. ( Supplied ) Why the monsoonal nightmare? Mr Van Wyk said Queensland's month-late wet season flushed out many of the prawns, leaving few for trawlers to snag. "We're basically looking at probably one of the, if not the, worst banana prawn season start we've ever had in history," he said. Banana prawns typically settle into northern rivers, and the first downpour of rain during January or February flushes them into the Gulf, Mr Van Wyk said. But since the big wet came later in March, many prawns failed to escape and became prey for other animals in the rivers. Banana prawn season in northern Australia runs from late March to mid June, but the 2025 season started late. ( Supplied: Michele Burford ) He said the ones that did get out were smaller than ideal. "It's incredibly tough, probably the toughest it's ever been," he said. Mr Van Wyk said the season was likely to close early, and 20 per cent of the northern prawn fishery chose to not head out at all. "We currently have the lowest amount of vessels that have ever participated in the northern prawn fishery banana season of all time," he said. Fewer vessels are heading out into northern waters this year because prawn numbers are expected to be so low. ( ABC North West Queensland ) But he was confident the tide would turn for the boom-and-bust industry. "There's still a bright future ahead, we've just got to get to that bright future," he said. Empty ocean, empty nets Raptis fleet manager Phil Robinson echoed Mr Van Wyk's sentiment and said he had not seen a worse season in 25 years. "The late wet season has very much impacted the banana prawn season," he said. He said the deluge in March was far too late to prompt any meaningful catches for fishers, and sizes were down, but the quality of prawns would remain high. Prawn fishers are concerned about the late wet season in the gulf. ( Supplied: Austral Fisheries ) Mr Albert said the late wet season impacted the aggregations, and his catch so far was "pretty average". "A lot of the product has been a couple of counts smaller than previous years," he said. He said he had left one trawler out of the Gulf waters, with high fuel prices, lack of mother shipping and low sale prices all factors in the decision. "We can only go out and catch what's there and try and get it to market in the best quality we can," he said.
