A happy New Year to one and all and may we all see a reduction in the incidence of natural phenomena responsible for so much loss, hardship and misery in the year 2011.

Phytosanitary Costs – effective Jan 1, 2012, AQIS advised us of some very significant increases in the cost of Phytosanitary certification. As an example, to annually register our modest premises as an export facility, the cost has increased from AU $420 to $2500, an increase of 495%. Such lunacy can only emanate from an excessively overfed bureaucracy, a fact that will become Australia’s Achilles heel in the very near future.

The effect of these increases mean we must charge AU $195 per certificate so we are proposing to all our clients that for orders less than AU $2000, no Phyto be issued and the client then relies on their customs officers to direct the seed for post arrival inspection. This will save you the cost of our Phytosanitary inspection and avoid the very annoying process of double charging. For orders greater than AU $2000, please indicate at the time of confirmation whether you do or do not require inspection.

From our point of view, we advise foreign suppliers, recipients of this Newsletter that we do not want Phytosanitary certificates to accompany shipments, thank you.

We are looking forward to being of service to you, our valued customers, and trust that the first Newsletter of 2012 includes something of interest to you.

Sincerely,

Mike Farrar

Information of Note

Crop failure - Tabebuia argentea