Introduction

Mushroom growers in Australia invest statutory levy funds in a national research and development program and a marketing & promotions program aimed at driving growth in the Australian mushroom market. The investment program is overseen by a group of industry representatives with an independent chair known as the Mushroom Industry Advisory Committee (MIAC). MIAC is a committee of the Horticulture Australia Board and is charged with recommending how the mushroom industry levy funds should be invested. HAL is a company owned by Australian horticulture industries and administers the collection and distribution of the levy funds.

Statutory Levy on Agaricus Mushrooms

The R&D and M&P programs are funded by a compulsory levy on mushroom growers of $2.16 per kilogram of spawn purchased. 25% of the funds collected are allocated to research & development and 75% to marketing & promotions.

Strategic Plan

The Australian Mushroom Growers have developed a vision for the future and put a strategic plan in place to guide the industry towards reaching its vision by 2011.

The overriding goal is to create an environment that allows growers to maximise the return on their mushroom industry investments.

The strategic plan sets out how the industry aims to achieve this by:
• developing an environment where there is a strong demand for mushrooms
• providing information to increase efficiencies on farm
• minimising risks to the industry

Mushroom levy contributors can obtain copies of the industry's strategic and annual investment plans by contacting the AMGA on 02 4577 6877 or emailing us at info@amga.asn.au

Annual Reports

An annual report is presented to levy payers at the Annual Levy Payers meeting, usually held during the industry's annual conference in September/October year.

Communication Strategy

The Australian Mushroom Industry produces a Statutory Levy Update three times per year which is designed to provide information about research and development and marketing and development activities conducted and planned for the future.