Australia’s love affair with blueberries is booming, with production soaring and consumption reaching new heights. However, this rapid expansion has sparked a robust debate about the adequacy of regulations governing the industry.
The mid-north coast of New South Wales has emerged as the undisputed heartland of Australian blueberry cultivation, accounting for nearly 80 per cent of the nation’s output. This region has witnessed a dramatic surge in production over the past two decades. Back in 2004, Australia produced a modest quantity of fewer than 2,500 tonnes of blueberries, valued at an estimated $24 million. Fast forward to 2024, and the figures are staggering: production has skyrocketed to 27,500 tonnes, with a market value exceeding $500 million.
“It’s a significant industry and a good-news story,” commented James Kellaway, a board member of Berries Australia. He attributes this impressive growth to the increasing consumer demand for a convenient and healthy fruit, a trend he anticipates will continue. Indeed, more than half of Australian households regularly purchase blueberries, and the nation’s annual consumption of 1 kilogram per capita places it among the highest globally.
Growing Pains: Concerns Over Environmental Impacts
Despite the industry’s success, a growing chorus of local voices is raising concerns about the environmental footprint of intensive blueberry farming. At a recent Nambucca Environment Network meeting in Macksville, residents voiced anxieties surrounding the industry’s use of chemicals, water resources, protective plastic tunnels, and bird netting.
Raewyn Macky, a resident of Yarranbella in the Nambucca Valley, expressed particular apprehension about spray drift from chemicals used on neighbouring berry farms. “There are no buffers, and you absolutely need to have buffers for the amount of chemical spraying that occurs,” Ms. Macky stated. Her concerns are echoed by a broader issue: across much of rural-zoned land in New South Wales, intensive horticultural operations are currently exempt from requiring development approval (DA) from local government.
Advocates for a DA requirement argue that new intensive horticulture farms should be mandated to assess and mitigate potential impacts, including the establishment of buffer zones for chemical spray drift, effective traffic management, and responsible wastewater treatment.
Greens MP Cate Faehrmann, present at the Macksville meeting, pledged to present a proposal to the state parliament advocating for stricter regulations on the berry industry. Her proposed reforms include mandatory buffer zones and a requirement for neighbours to be notified when new intensive horticulture farms are established. “The issue is the laws haven’t kept pace with the industry,” Ms. Faehrmann observed. “I think the blueberry industry can continue, clearly, we’re not trying to shut it down, but it’s losing its social licence rapidly.”
The Nambucca Valley Council made an unsuccessful bid last year to the NSW government to amend its Local Environment Plan, which would have necessitated DAs for new horticulture operations. It’s worth noting that no council in NSW has amended its Local Environment Plan to require DA consent for intensive horticulture since 2006.
Regulatory Oversight and Compliance
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) sets the standards for the use of agricultural chemicals. The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is tasked with enforcing these regulations. Since 2020, the EPA has significantly ramped up its inspections in berry-growing regions around Coffs Harbour and Nambucca, increasing by 180 per cent and identifying “occasional transgressions.”
The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) has also highlighted “small pockets of non-compliance with the potential to cause significant harm” on the north coast. Out of 41 ongoing investigations across New South Wales, 16 are specifically related to blueberry farms in this area. The NRAR’s primary concerns revolve around unapproved dams, exceeding permitted water allocations, and the use of unlawful pipes and pumps.
Following media reports last year suggesting that a researcher had detected the banned chemical thiometon and high levels of the insecticide dimethoate in blueberries, the state’s food safety authority launched a survey. This involved examining 100 raspberry and blueberry punnets purchased across Sydney in November. The survey found that while 95 samples contained one or more pesticides, none exceeded the maximum residue limits set by the food standards code, nor were the detected pesticides banned for use in Australia.
In response to these findings and broader industry trends, the NSW Food Authority introduced new standards in February. These standards mandate that farmers cultivating 2 hectares or more of berries must adhere to new on-farm requirements and obtain licences for those processing or packing produce for other growers.
Industry’s Perspective: Regulation is Sufficient
Industry representatives maintain that the current regulatory framework is robust. James Kellaway, who also serves as the chief executive of the berry cooperative Oz Group, stated that the industry is subject to extensive regulation covering various aspects. “Whether it be to do with worker health and safety, the employment or engagement of labour, whether it be to do with chemical use, water licensing or management, you know these are key issues associated with the production of blueberries.”
Mr. Kellaway welcomed the food safety testing conducted by regulators and retailers, emphasizing that growers only resort to chemical application when necessary. “If we want to produce a product that is conducive for retail and meets retail specification, sometimes chemicals need to be applied,” he explained.
Satpal Singh, an early adopter of blueberry farming in the region approximately 30 years ago, is actively seeking to reduce his farm’s reliance on chemical sprays through innovation. He has recently implemented an irrigation system featuring drippers that deliver nutrients and water to blueberry plants cultivated in pots under a plastic tunnel at his Corindi farm, located north of Coffs Harbour. These plants are grown in a coco-peat substrate rather than traditional soil.
Mr. Singh expressed frustration with calls for increased regulation, asserting that an estimated 95 per cent of farmers are operating responsibly. “Let’s weed out the growers that are the problem, not all growers,” he urged.
