Dairy Produce Levy Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Dairy Produce Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1993 No. 95, issued under the authority of the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy, are amendments to the regulatory framework established by several Acts, including the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation Act 1977, the Australian Wool Corporation Act 1991, and the Dairy Produce Levy (No. 1) Act 1986, among others. These regulations aim to update the operative rates for the Exotic Animal Disease Preparedness Consultative Council (EXANDIS) levies for the fiscal year 1993-94, in line with recommendations made by the National Farmers' Federation (NFF) and EXANDIS. The primary policy objective is to ensure the continued funding of EXANDIS through industry contributions, which are critical for the control and eradication of exotic animal diseases in Australia. The amendments reflect the proposed contribution rates for various commodities, including cattle, wool, milk, laying chickens, meat chickens, and pigs, ensuring that the industry's financial commitment is matched by the Commonwealth up to a specified limit.

Scope and Application

The Dairy Produce Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1993 No. 95 applies to entities and individuals involved in the production and processing of cattle, wool, dairy produce, laying chickens, meat chickens, and pigs within Australia. This includes producers, processors, and other stakeholders within the relevant industries. The regulations are framed under 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 Laying Chicken Levy Act 1988, the Meat Chicken Levy Act 1969, and the Pig Slaughter Levy Act 1971. The primary purpose of these regulations is to implement the recommended rates for contributions to the EXANDIS trust account for the financial year 1993-94, which is dedicated to the control and eradication of exotic animal diseases. The contribution rates, which include both direct payments and levies, are set forth based on recommendations from EXANDIS members nominated by the National Farmers' Federation. The regulations will come into effect on 1 July 1993 and are applicable across the Commonwealth, ensuring a coordinated approach to disease control across Australia. The scope of these regulations is further extended through subordinate instruments, which allow for adjustments and further specifications of the levy rates and contributions.

Key Provisions

The Dairy Produce Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1993 No. 95 pertains to the amendment of existing regulations under several Acts, including the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation Act 1977 (Section 52), the Australian Wool Corporation Act 1991 (Section 94), the Dairy Produce Levy (No. 1) Act 1986 (Section 14), the Laying Chicken Levy Act 1988 (Section 9), the Meat Chicken Levy Act 1969 (Section 11), and the Pig Slaughter Levy Act 1971 (Section 8). These sections empower the Governor-General to make regulations for levy impositions or payments for exotic disease purposes. The proposed amendments aim to prescribe specific levy rates for the 1993-94 financial year, taking into consideration recommendations from the Exotic Animal Disease Preparedness Consultative Council (EXANDIS). Under these regulations, various industry contributions are required for the EXANDIS trust account, which receives annual contributions of approximately $750,000. These contributions are matched dollar-for-dollar by the Commonwealth up to the same amount. The regulations mandate specific payments or levies from different sectors, such as cattle/calves and wool under the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation Act 1977 and the Australian Wool Corporation Act 1991, respectively. For dairy produce, laying chickens, meat chickens, and pig slaughter, the regulations specify particular levy rates, such as 0.047 cent per kilogram of milk fat, 0.22 cent per laying chicken, 0.018 cent per meat chicken, and 0.90 cent per head, respectively. Failure to comply with these regulations and the specified levy rates can lead to civil and criminal consequences. The exact penalties for breaches are not detailed in the provided excerpt, but typically, such breaches can result in fines, legal action, or other penalties as prescribed under the relevant Acts. Compliance is essential to avoid any legal ramifications and to support the financial preparedness for exotic animal disease control. The regulations are set to commence on 1 July 1993, ensuring that all stakeholders are aware of the new rates and requirements well in advance. This timing allows for adequate preparation and implementation of the new levy rates, ensuring that contributions are appropriately managed and allocated to support the EXANDIS trust account. Any non-compliance with these regulations post the commencement date can result in significant legal and financial repercussions for the affected parties.