YABBY farmer Trevor Domaschenz has taken a step forward in his battle against PrimeSafe, the regulating body for seafood in Victoria.
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The Patyah farmer said a Rural and Regional Parliamentary Committee had recommended seafood businesses should not be regulated by PrimeSafe.
The recommendation follows a parliamentary inquiry into the competitiveness and regulatory burden of processing standards on businesses regulated by PrimeSafe.
Mr Domaschenz has been battling PrimeSafe for years after changes to regulations made it difficult for him to sell yabbies following 20 years in the industry.
Mr Domaschenz said the committee voted in his favour and indicated he should not need to have a PrimeSafe licence.
"It is a huge win for us," he said.
"The committee gave a scathing report on PrimeSafe."
He said while the recommendation was supportive, it was still only a recommendation and the government now had six months to respond.
"The committee comprised members from the National, Labor and Liberal parties, so it would be hard to ignore it."
Mr Domaschenz said he still intended to stand as a candidate for the Upper House Western Victoria region in the state election.
He said there were bigger issues surrounding government regulations.
"Everyone I talk to seems to have similar issues with unworkable policies that have ruined their businesses," he said.
"Small businesses are hurting and it becomes nearly impossible for them to survive."
Mr Domaschenz said he was surprised by the amount of support he had received since announcing his intention to stand.
"I am currently researching how to go about my campaign."
Mr Domaschenz said he also wanted to focus his campaign on issues brought about by isolation and declining populations in rural towns.
"I want more people to move to regional and country Victoria, especially public servants, so they can get closer to where their policies impact," he said.
"Everyone seems to be very disenchanted at the moment with the government, no matter who they vote for."
"That doesn't mean they should vote for me, but I will try and earn their support."
