Pro-Visual Publishing has released its latest wall chart outlining sustainability and safety issues for wine producers and grape growers. WFA and WGGA both provided information. Copies are available free from Pro-Visual at marketing@provisual.com.au or www.provisual.com.au. The poster can be viewed here in JPG format.

 

WFA's Manager Natural Resoruces, Jonathan Green, has prepared a comprehensive overview of how the Government's proposed Carbon Plan might impact on the wine sector. Download PDF.

 

20 October 2011: Oenology seminar
South Australian members, in particular, may be interested in an oenology seminar being run in Adelaide on Tuesday 22nd November by the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology (ASVO).

 

The topic is Making the best out of difficult vintages: Managing sub-optimal fruit in the winery. You can download an information brochure here (PDF).

6 October 2011: Inaccuracies in Financial Review article

An article in the Tax Forum supplement in today's Australian Financial Review contains two significant inaccuracies. WFA chief executive Stephen Strachan did not tell the reporter that "there was a need to change the wine equalisation tax". His comment was in relation to the need for reform of the WET Rebate to deal with inequities. Accolade's position on a volume-based tax also is stated incorrectly.

 

19 August 2011: FSANZ approves change to minimum alcohol limit
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has approved a WFA submission to reduce the minimum alcohol content permitted for wine and sparkling wine produced in Australia from 8 % (80 mL/L) to 4.5% (45 mL/L) alcohol/volume (alc/vol).

 

Approval by Ministerial Council and subsequent gazettal is expected by December. The FSANZ ruling, which includes an executive summary, can be downloaded (PDF)

 

 

The Australian Taxation Office made an important determination in relation to the Wine Equalisation Tax on April 6, ruling that in some cases where one or more growers use a contract winemaker so each can attempt to claim the WET producer rebate by retaining legal title to their produce and the resulting wine may not in fact be entitled to do so. Download ruling (PDF)

 

The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), the largest of Canada’s provincial control boards, has decided to allow the temporary use of Phosphorous Acid as a fungicide to control Downey Mildew until December 2011.  It will survey Australian and other wines to establish a Maximum Residue Level (MRL) for Phosphorous Acid by mid-2012.

 

Negotiations are continuing with other international jurisdictions and we will keep you informed of progress. Further information is available from tony@wfa.org.au

 

An audit report on the Australian Taxation Office's Administration of the Wine Equalisation Tax has been released. Download (PDF)

 

WFA member update on Murray Darling Basin Authority guide. Download (PDF)

   

8 October 2010
Initial WFA response to the release of the Draft Guide to the Proposed Basin Plan released by the Murray Darling Basin Authority. Download (PDF)

30 September 2010
WFA has prepared a  brief information bulletin on the introduction of the new Average Quantity System as an alternative measuring system when filling wine bottles. Download PDF

20 September 2010 - Protecting business in China
IP Australia has released the following advisory updates on protecting your business interests in China.

• How to protect tradmarks in China (PDF)
• Enforcement of IP in China (PDF)

11 August 2010 - Women in Wine Industry Leadership Program

Training company Rural Training Initiatives has received DAFF funding to develop The Right Bunch, a leadership program for women working in the wine industry in Australia.

 

Applications are now open for the inaugural program, which will be held in Adelaide from October 12 to 15. It is open to women of all ages, experience and roles.

 

All travel and accommodation and most meals will be provided for the successful applicants and the $396 participation fee will be reimbursed to eligible participants through Farmready.