Perth-based Fruit and vegetable supplier GetFresh Merchants has been fined $43,150 for several alleged violations of the Horticulture Code of Conduct.
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) alleges GetFresh failed to have horticulture produce agreements in place while trading with growers, and failed to publish its terms of trade.
The Horticulture Code requires trading to occur under contracts called horticulture produce agreements, which provide growers and traders certain protections, said ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh.
“As well as buying and selling under written agreements, traders must make their terms of trade publicly available so growers can compare the terms and conditions of potential buyers of their produce.
“All horticultural traders should be on notice that we are monitoring their compliance with the Horticulture Code and will take enforcement action where appropriate,” Keogh said.
GetFresh is the fourth fruit and vegetable trader to have paid a penalty for alleged breaches of the Horticulture Code this year, following Green Endeavour, Bache Bros and Nutrano.
