23 Nov 2012

Overhaul for horticulture export body

6:35 am on 23 November 2012

The Horticulture Export Authority is getting an overhaul.

HEA was set up 25 years ago to provide a way for fruit and vegetable industries to develop their own marketing arrangements through growers and exporters working together.

It's used by about half of the 22 horticulture sector groups, including avocados, buttercup squash, summerfruit and kiwifruit exports to Australia.

The Primary Industries Ministry says a recent review identified ways the legislation underpinning the authority could be streamlined and modernised.

Chief executive Simon Hegarty says HEA asked for the changes because the exporting structure it operates needs to be more flexible.

He says export earnings from the fruit and vegetable sectors using the HEA have totalled more than $260 million this year.

Submissions on the proposed legislative changes close on 15 February 2013.