Australian Meat and Live-Stock Corporation Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation Regulations (Amendment) 1992 No. 141 was enacted to address the need for updating the levy rates for exotic animal disease control as recommended by the Exotic Animal Disease Preparedness Consultative Council (EXANDIS). This amendment was made pursuant to the relevant sections of various Acts, including the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation Act 1977 and the Australian Wool Corporation Act 1991, which empower the Governor-General to make regulations for the purposes of these Acts, particularly regarding levies for exotic disease control. The policy objective is to ensure that industry contributions for exotic disease preparedness are aligned with the recommendations of EXANDIS and the National Farmers' Federation (NFF), with the rates set to commence on 1 July 1992. This legislative amendment facilitates the financial preparedness and response to exotic animal diseases by setting the necessary contribution rates through the prescribed levies.

Scope and Application

The Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation Regulations (Amendment) 1992 No. 141 amends various acts including the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation Act 1977, the Australian Wool Corporation Act 1991, the Dairy Produce Levy (No. 1) Act 1986, the Livestock Slaughter Levy Act 1964, the Meat Chicken Levy Act 1969, and the Pig Slaughter Levy Act 1971. These acts collectively address the imposition of levies for exotic disease purposes, which are intended to fund activities related to the control and eradication of exotic animal diseases. The regulations apply to entities and industries within the meat and livestock sectors, including cattle, sheep, lambs, goats, buffaloes, meat chickens, and pigs. The geographic reach of these regulations is nationwide, as they are established under Commonwealth legislation. The regulations are designed to implement the recommended rates for the Exotic Animal Disease Preparedness Consultative Council (EXANDIS) contribution for the financial year 1992-93, which is to commence on 1 July 1992. The amendments reflect the recommended levy rates, with consideration given to the advice from the National Farmers' Federation. The regulations also specify the maximum rates permitted under the relevant levy acts and the proposed contribution rates for each commodity.

Key Provisions

The Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation Regulations (Amendment) 1992 No. 141 introduces new rates for levies on various commodities as part of the effort to control exotic animal diseases through the Exotic Animal Disease Preparedness Consultative Council (EXANDIS). These amendments specifically address the financial contributions for 1992-93 by altering the levy rates set out in relevant Acts (sections 52, 94, 14, 8, 11, and 8 of the respective Acts). The new rates, as recommended by the National Farmers' Federation (NFF) and considered by the Minister, are designed to fund EXANDIS's activities aimed at preventing and managing exotic animal diseases. The changes are to take effect from 1 July 1992. The legislation imposes several obligations on the parties involved. For instance, the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation, Australian Wool Corporation, and other entities must adhere to the newly prescribed levy rates as outlined in the amendments. This includes collecting the specified levies from producers of milk, buffaloes, sheep, lambs, goats, meat chickens, and cattle, as well as wool producers. The entities must ensure that these contributions are made to the EXANDIS trust account, which will then be used for disease control and eradication efforts. The regulations require meticulous record-keeping and reporting to ensure compliance with the new rates and to maintain transparency in the financial management of the trust account. Violations of the provisions set out in these regulations can lead to significant consequences. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the explanatory statement, breaches of similar regulatory frameworks typically attract hefty fines or legal action. For instance, failure to comply with the prescribed levy rates could result in financial penalties, legal proceedings, or both, depending on the severity and intent of the breach. The regulations underscore the importance of adhering to the stipulated rates to support the collective efforts in disease prevention and control. The amendments also highlight the importance of industry contributions to the EXANDIS trust account. The contributions from the industry, matched dollar-for-dollar by the Commonwealth up to a maximum of $750,000, are crucial for funding the activities of EXANDIS. This collaborative funding model ensures that sufficient resources are available for the effective management and control of exotic animal diseases. The specified rates and the mechanism for contributions are integral to maintaining the financial stability and operational capacity of EXANDIS. Overall, the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation Regulations (Amendment) 1992 No. 141, as well as the associated amendments to other Acts, are essential in updating and enforcing the financial contributions necessary for the control and eradication of exotic animal diseases. By setting new levy rates and ensuring compliance, these regulations aim to safeguard Australia's livestock industry against potential disease outbreaks.