Dairy farmers are voting to prioritise three options: increase the rate by 15 per cent, hold the current rate, or scrap the levy altogether.

Dairy Australia chairman and NSW dairy farmer Max Roberts hoped all dairy farmers, not just Dairy Australia members, would vote on the levy which funds a range of dairy research, promotion and protection activities.

“The industry’s two key objectives for the poll are to ensure a maximum turn out and for farmers to cast an informed vote,” Mr Roberts said.

“As a dairy farmer and levy payer myself, I believe that it is even more important than ever before to cast and informed vote.”

The Dairy Service Levy also enables dairy farmers to collectively address larger issues such as the competition for resources, climate change, GM technology, the implications of obesity, and to develop generic innovations in dairy products.

Once voting concludes farmers will have to wait for a final levy rate decision by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Their vote will indicate their collective preference and will be forwarded by Dairy Australia as a recommendation to the Minister.

Farmers must send back their completed ballot papers by COB March 16. They can do this by either using the pre paid envelope supplied or by faxing their ballot papers to 03 9473 2555.

Dairy Australia has recommended farmers hold the Dairy Service Levy at its current rate of an average of about $3150 for every million litres of milk produced.

For more information on the Dairy Service Levy Poll go to www.dairypoll.com.au.

ENDS

For media information contact: Sarah Kulman on 03 9694 3849, 0400 006 295 or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .