Question: My Wholesaler has alerted me that someone representing the Association has been approaching agents to find out the details of growers supplying wholesalers. Why is this happening? I am concerned that competitors will get their hands on information that I regard as confidential.
Answer: This relates to the Emergency Plant Pest Response Levy. There is to be a ballot on this levy in the New Year. Bruce Duncan has been appointed as Returning Officer for the Ballot. Bruce has to first establish an Electoral Roll that includes all levy paying ginger growers whether members of the Association or not. He is doing this by seeking the cooperation of all levy collection points including wholesalers.
The information Bruce collects is for his use only, in the role as Returning Officer. Once he records the grower on the Electoral Roll, the information collected regarding the supply chain is deleted. Supply chain information is treated as Commercial in Confidence and is not passed on to any other source. You can be absolutely assured of Bruce’s discretion in this matter.