Pot Levy
Many people ask why there is a 5% levy on all nursery containers that will contain soil. It is a statutory levy introduced by the Federal Government at the request of the Nursery Industry to raise funds for Research and Development as well as for marketing.
The pot levy was introduced in 1988. The R&D was handled by the horticultural Research & Development Corporation, with the promotion being handled by the Australian Horticultural Corporation. In 2001 the Horticultural Research and Development Corporation and Australian Horticultural Corporation amalgamated to form Horticulture Australia.
What happens with the levy?
It is collected by the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and paid to Horticulture Australia. One third is used for R & D and matched by the Federal Government. The other two thirds is used for promotional and marketing purposes. The Pot Levy is used to promote sales and increase profits for growers, wholesalers and garden centres.
How is the pot levy working for the industry?
Flora for Fauna is just one of the ways the pot levy is working for us. Flora and Fauna is a program developed by the nursery and gardening industry and funded by the Natural Heritage Trust and the Nursery Industry Levy. Its aim is to help attract birds, butterflies and other fauna back to people's backyards. It does this by promoting (throughout various media) how different plants can encourage a range of different animals to the garden.
The types of promotions include: eye-catching, colourful brochures; an interactive website www.floraforfauna.com.au a national publicity and promotion campaign targeting the garden media; and Garden Centre promotion ideas toolkit. It shows how easy it is to attract more birds, butterflies, frogs and other fauna - creating truly living gardens.
How is the Levy working for me as a Grower or Plant Wholesaler?
Go to the website and download your copy of the latest plant list through the 'Create a Garden' section of the website. Look at the list of Flora for Fauna plants and identify the one you are growing. If you have plants that are not listed on the plant list - fill in an application form and have them added to the Flora for Fauna plant list.
C/- Nursery & Garden Industry Australia
PO Box 907
Epping NSW 1710
Phone: (02) 9876 5200
