THE first on-the-ground field audit looking at correct proprietary fruit varieties has been completed in Victoria.
Fruit Rights Australia (FRA) conducted the successful audit on the farm of Steve and Ross Mammone, Mammone Orchards, Woodwood, Victoria.
The Mammone field audit was based on on-the-ground counts of tree numbers, in the various blocks of their orchard and comparison of these counts with data previous supplied in a desk audit of the Mammone plantings.
FRA was formed last year to help educate Australian fruit growers about the advantages and obligations associated with proprietary fruit varieties.
Mr Mammone said he is pleased to have been the first grower to successfully complete a field audit.
“Our position on proprietary varieties has changed over the years. We want the best varieties, at the right times of the year, and are prepared to pay for them,” he said.
FRA has also completed a number of desk audits with leading growers in all Australian production regions.
The desk audits are based on a declaration from the grower covering the varieties he/she grows and the number of trees of each.
This data is matched with the records held by the nursery or rights holder.
FRA’s desk audit is designed to maintain the confidentiality of the data provided.
FRA executive officer Russell Soderlund said the desk audit process ensures that information about the grower’s varieties/trees from one FRA member is not seen or accessed by any other FRA member.
“Growers who pay their royalties don’t want to see others ‘free riding’ via illegal propagation of proprietary trees or other means,” Mr Soderlund said.
Lake Boga apricot grower Ian McAlister, SunFruit Orchards said he has to pay royalties for the varieties he grows.
“I understand why and am happy to pay in exchange for access to the best varieties,” he said.
“But I don’t like the idea of other growers using the same varieties and getting away without paying anything.”
Mr McAlister said with orchard acquisitions, tree removals and tree deaths, records can get out of date.
“So it was reassuring to see that our records matched those of the various nurseries we deal with,” he said.
FRA aims to complete more, free, desk audits over the next few months.
Audits can be arranged by contacting the executive officer.
