Welcome to Horticulture Australia Council
Agriculture Makes Life Possible - Horticulture Makes It Worthwhile!
Horticulture Australia Council (HAC) represents over 98% of the Australian horticulture industry - an industry with approximately 30,000 growers employing 130,000 people (approx. 1/3 of those employed in agriculture) and a farm gate value of $9 billion. Horticulture is the second-largest, and fastest-growing sector of agriculture (larger than Dairy and Wool combined). Horticultural exports in 2008 totalled
A$1,631 million.
HAC is the peak national umbrella organisation representing the Horticulture sector; and currently has nineteen members (national peak industry bodies for the various horticultural commodities, and state grower associations).
HAC was formed in June 2000 as a not-for-profit association to effectively deal with the increasing number of critical issues that are threatening and challenging the livelihood of horticultural industry stakeholders. HAC's intention is to speak with one clear, strong voice in order to better promote the worth and importance of the horticultural industry both in Australia and overseas.
HAC's Mission:
To achieve the advancement and prosperity of Australian horticulture by:
- Identifying and responding to whole-of-Horticulture issues, including:
- Developing policy;
- Facilitating change;
- Undertaking national agri-political activity;
- Providing structure and resources to deal with issues of common interest.
- Demonstrating leadership through developing and encouraging policies which support the development and sustainability of Australian Horticulture.
- Enhancing the profile of Australia's Horticulture industry as a vital contributor to the nation's economy, and an important element of both rural and urban communities.
Current Issues:
The HAC Board has identified the following as current key issues for the industry:
- the impact of climate change on Horticuture;
- a transparent and equitable value chain for the industry (including the Horticulture Code of Conduct, and the market dominance of the supermarket chains);
- disaster preparedness and relief (including the impacts of drought and other extreme weather events on farming families and their communities);
- trade issues (eg Free Trade Agreements, market access, biosecurity);
- labour and skills (including harvest trails, DIMIA visa arrangements, Training Package reviews);
- Natural Resource Management (including sustainable water management);
- exotic disease/pest management;
- peri-urban issues (farming and land management in an environment of urban encroachment); and
- food labelling.
