EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES NO. 149
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 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. Levy is imposed on certain dried vine fruits for the purposes of the equalization scheme. Fruit sold on export markets is exempted from levy. Levy payment in respect of fruit still in packer custody at the end of the sixth month after the end of the season must be completed within 14 days unless a period other than six months is prescribed by regulation. The season corresponds to the calendar year.
On the recommendation of the Australian Dried Fruits Corporation, the Statutory Rules prescribe the period for payment of levy on 1983 season sultanas and raisins still in packer custody as nine months.
As a result of the poor international trading environment significant stocks of 1983 season sultanas and raisins are expected to be in packer custody at 30 June 1984. Payment of levy on that fruit within 14 days would impose a considerable financial burden on packers and producers. The fruit is expected to be sold by 30 September 1984 and accordingly extension of the prescribed period by three months would allow payment of levy from proceeds of sale. This would enable finalisation of the equalization accounts for sultanas and raisins without serious financial difficulty for packers and producers.