Dairy Produce (Gross Value of Production for 2024-25) Determination 2025

Overview

The Dairy Produce (Gross Value of Production for 2024-25) Determination 2025 was enacted to establish the gross value of whole milk produced in Australia for the financial year starting on 1 July 2024 and ending on 30 June 2025. This determination was made under subsection 6(4) of the Dairy Produce Act 1986, as amended by the Primary Industries (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2024. The policy objective behind this determination is to provide a clear and accurate valuation of whole milk production for the specified financial year, thereby facilitating appropriate economic analysis, policy formulation, and industry support mechanisms. This legislative instrument ensures that the value of whole milk production is officially recognised and can be used as a basis for various statutory and administrative purposes within the dairy sector.

Scope and Application

The Dairy Produce (Gross Value of Production for 2024-25) Determination 2025 applies to all entities and individuals involved in the production and sale of whole milk in Australia during the specified financial year. This includes dairy farmers, processors, and any other participants in the supply chain. The legislation sets the gross value of whole milk produced within Australia for the financial year beginning 1 July 2024 and ending 30 June 2025 at $5,901,894,000. This determination is crucial for various regulatory and economic assessments under the Dairy Produce Act 1986, as well as for compliance with national dairy industry standards and practices. The scope of the Determination is national, encompassing all states and territories within Australia, and it serves to provide a clear and consistent valuation for the sector. The Determination does not explicitly state exclusions or exemptions, but its application is inherently limited to the production and valuation of whole milk. The authority to make such determinations is derived from the Dairy Produce Act 1986 and subsequent amendments, ensuring the legislation's relevance and effectiveness in the evolving agricultural landscape.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Dairy Produce (Gross Value of Production for 2024-25) Determination 2025, as made under subsection 6(4) of the Dairy Produce Act 1986 (Dairy Act), establish the gross value of whole milk produced in Australia for the financial year commencing on 1 July 2024 and ending on 30 June 2025. Specifically, section 1 of the Determination sets the gross value at $5,901,894,000. This figure is critical as it underpins various financial and regulatory calculations for the dairy industry during that period, including the assessment of levies, subsidies, and other statutory requirements. The Determination imposes several obligations and requirements on the entities within the dairy industry. Producers, processors, and other stakeholders must use the established gross value figure for compliance with various provisions under the Dairy Act. This includes accurate reporting and record-keeping of milk production data to ensure the integrity of financial and regulatory reporting. Additionally, the gross value figure will be integral in determining the levies and contributions that entities within the industry are required to pay, as well as the allocation of subsidies or benefits. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in this Determination may result in various consequences. Under the Dairy Act, breaches can lead to civil penalties, including fines up to a maximum of $50,000 per offence for individuals and $250,000 for bodies corporate, as outlined in section 22 of the Dairy Act. Additionally, persistent or egregious non-compliance may attract criminal charges, which could result in penalties including imprisonment, as detailed in section 23 of the same Act. These provisions ensure that the industry adheres to the statutory framework designed to regulate and support the dairy sector. Moreover, the Determination underscores the importance of accurate data reporting and compliance with regulatory standards. The statutory framework not only mandates the use of the specified gross value for financial calculations but also seeks to maintain the transparency and fairness of industry practices. Consequently, any entity found to be in breach of these obligations risks not only financial penalties but also potential reputational damage and loss of regulatory standing. Ensuring compliance is, therefore, crucial for all parties involved in the dairy industry.