4.4 SATISFACTION WITH INITIAL CONSULTATION
Although the majority of participants considered that initial consultation had been adequate, there were marked differences between industries and a relatively high number of participants could not recall the consultation process.
- While the majority of respondents in the postal survey (56 percent) considered that the level of consultation undertaken at the time of Levy Order application was satisfactory, significant numbers did not (24 percent).
- Industries where fewer than 50 percent of postal survey respondents were satisfied included the herbage seed and wheat industries. There was a markedly lower level of satisfaction with consultation on those two levies than with the arable commodities levy; the pipfruit and summerfruit levies and the tamarillo levy. Amongst focus group participants there was also particularly poor recollection of consultation over the Wheat Grains, Non-proprietary and Uncertified Herbage Seed and Pipfruit Levies as well as over the Berryfruit Levy.
- It is quite possible, however, that many of those who felt that the consultation process was inadequate are unable to recall it because they did not attend meetings, read mail-outs, etc. During a number of focus groups, members noted that meetings and printed information were readily available for those who wanted to find out about the levies. However, meetings were generally not well attended and printed material was probably unread. At several groups there was relatively little recollection of the consultation process by members until their memories were jogged. Amongst postal survey respondents, 16 percent were unable to recall the process and it is possible that a number of those who considered the process inadequate did so because they could not recall being consulted. Another concern about the consultation process expressed by several focus groups is the cost it imposes on industry organisations, particularly small ones.
- The wine-making grapes group observed that at no stage were they ever sent information on the reasons why a compulsory levy would not be in the industry's best interests. Consequently, the process did not provide the information required to make a balanced judgement. The vegetable group members agreed that provision should be made for objectors to send out information on their views at the same time as the industry organisation.
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Senior Policy Analyst
Sector Performance Policy
MAF Policy
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