The poll

“Dairy Poll 2012 represents every dairy farmer’s opportunity to support the aspirations of our industry. It’s your industry, your investment and your future. Make your vote count.”

Chris Griffin
Chair, Australian Dairy industry Council, Australian Dairy Farmers Chair, Dairy Service Levy Poll Industry Advisory Committee

The legislation governing Dairy Australia requires a levy poll to be conducted in early 2012 to give the nation’s dairy farmers the opportunity to have their say on the Dairy Service Levy rate for up to the next five years.

The dairy industry’s peak representative bodies believe the industry has reached a turning point as farmers continue their recovery from drought, volatile milk pricing and margins and general market uncertainty.

We need to ensure the level of research, development, education and industry promotion and protection, currently provided by Dairy Australia, is safeguarded to deliver a profitable and sustainable future for the industry, and not eroded by the impact of inflation.

In early 2011 a Dairy Poll Advisory Committee, comprising industry representatives, was established to advise on the voting options to be offered to farmers in the Dairy Poll 2012.

Taking account of the costs associated with delivering services to dairy farmers, the Committee determined that a 10 per cent increase in the Dairy Levy would allow Dairy Australia to maintain its services over the next five years.

Key Dates:

• Voting entitlements sent to levy payers in December
• Voter Information Pack including Information Memorandum and Ballot Papers sent to levy payers in Feb 2012
• Voting closes on March 16, 2012