EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1984 NO. 150
Issued by the Authority of the Minister of State for Administrative Services for and on behalf of the Minister for Primary Industry
DRIED VINE FRUITS EQUALIZATION LEVY ACT 1978
DRIED VINE FRUITS EQUALIZATION LEVY REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT)
The dried vine fruits equalization scheme provides for the equalizing of unit returns from the domestic and export markets. The Dried Vine Fruits Equalization Levy Act 1978 imposes a levy upon certain dried vine fruits for the purposes of the equalization scheme. The levy applies only to fruit for consumption on the domestic market. New rates are fixed for each season which commences on 1 January. The rate of levy is intended to equal the difference between the average unit returns expected from the domestic and export markets.
The Dried Vine Fruits Equalization Levy Act 1978 provides that where production of a variety is less than a specified minimum quantity the Minister may exempt that variety from levy by notice in the Gazette. There is also provision for dried fruit of a specified class to be exempted from levy.
The Minister has exempted raisins of the 1984 season from levy by notice in the Gazette because production is below the minimum quantity. He has accepted a recommendation made by the Australian Dried Fruits Corporation that 1984 season currants be exempt from levy because 1984 production is relatively small, will largely be disposed of on the domestic market and will be subject to satisfactory voluntary equalization arrangements.
The Minister has also accepted a recommendation by the Corporation as to the rate of levy for sultanas and these Statutory Rules accordingly set the rate of levy for sultanas produced during the 1984 season at $860 per tonne.