EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1982 NO. 95
Issued by Authority of the Minister for Primary Industry
DRIED VINE FRUITS EQUALIZATION ACT 1978
DRIED VINE FRUITS EQUALIZATION REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT)
The dried vine fruits equalization scheme provides for the equalizing of unit returns from the domestic and export markets. However, since 1979 export returns have compared favourably with domestic returns with the consequence that the scheme has not so far been brought into operation.
When it became apparent that domestic returns for all varieties would exceed export returns in the 1982 season, regulations were made to facilitate the activation of the scheme.
The Dried Vine Fruits Equalization Levy Act 1978 imposes a levy upon certain dried vine fruits for the purposes of the equalization scheme. When operative, the levy applies only to fruit for consumption on the domestic market. The rate of levy for each kind of fruit is intended to equal the difference between the average unit returns expected from the domestic and export markets. These returns have been recently estimated by the Australian Dried Fruits Corporation for the 1982 season and the Minister for Primary Industry has accepted the Corporation’s estimates.
The Statutory Rules are therefore intended to fix the levy rates for currants, sultanas and raisins produced during the 1982 season, with the exception of tunnel dried fruit which has been exempted from levy by Statutory Rules 1982 No. 71.