News

The Australian Government is today (8 March 2018) expected to finalise the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP or TPP11). The Agreement is then required to be ratified by the member countries before entering into force. The TPP11 is the revised version of the original Trans-Pacific Partnership, which the United States (US) withdrew …

The issues of cultural change and gender equality have been subject to discussion around the WFA Board table for some time. It is clear to the WFA Board that a first step is an Industry Code of Conduct. Therefore the Board has established a working group to develop this most important Code. There is much to …

This week the ACCC released its latest Compliance and Enforcement Policy. It gives an overview of the ACCC’s priority enforcement areas, and outlines how we will work to achieve compliance with the law.   Agriculture is once again a priority for the ACCC. The focus is on the dairy inquiry, Horticultural Code of Conduct enforcement, and analysis …

January 17 2018 World Trade Organisation (WTO) Submission to Canada  – Measures governing the sale of wine – Request for consultations by Australia (PDF) Today the Australian Government announced that it has initiated formal World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute settlement action against Canada’s discriminatory measures affecting Australian wine. This is the first step in commencing …

In accordance with Regulation 90 of the Australian Grape and Wine Authority Regulations 1981, the Geographical Indications Committee has made an interim determination of 887 foreign geographical indications. The full list of 887 European Geographical Indications can be viewed here. Invitation to make submissions Persons are invited to make submissions to the Geographical Indications Committee …

In accordance with Regulation 40R of the Wine Australia Act 2013 (Wine Australia Act), an application has been made to the Geographical Indications Committee established under section 40N of the Wine Australia Act for the determination of the region Wilyabrup as a geographical indication (GI). Invitation to make written objectionsPersons are invited to make written …

December 2017 Prime Minister Announces Cabinet Reshuffle Wet Rebate Changes Webinar Notice of proposed Geographical Indication Wilyabrup – Opportunities to object November 2017 Wet Rebate Seminar October 2017 A New Vintage of Wine Future Leaders September 2017 Australia-Indonesia Trade Negotiations Survey August 2017 Regional Wine Export and Tourism Support Package 2017 Vintage Report July 2017 …

The initial work to review and redevelopment of the Diploma of Viticulture project has now been completed. The Subject Matter Experts (SME) working group meeting was held during September, with people who work directly in the viticulture industry being consulted to help clarify job roles, tasks and identify any skills gaps. The SME’s have now …

From 1 October a minimum floor price for alcohol will be introduced in the Northern Territory. The minimum floor price will be $1.30 per standard drink. Retail display materials explaining the floor price and what it means for consumers are being provided to licensees. These include posters, a rate card to calculate the floor price for …

A decision has been handed down by IP Australia, in WFA’s opposition to the registration of “Avola” as a GI, which will provide Nero d’Avola producers with some needed comfort. The decision held that the evidence provided by WFA had “establishes that Nero d’Avola is used in Australia as the name of a variety of …