EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1984 NO. 40
Issued by the Authority of the Minister of State 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. Levy payment in respect of fruit still in packer custody must be completed 14 days after the end of the sixth month after the end of the season, unless a period other than six months is prescribed by regulation.
On the recommendation of the Australian Dried Fruits Corporation, the Statutory Rules prescribe the period for payment of levy on 1983 season currants still in packer custody as 3 months.
Because of the small crop of currants in the 1983 season, almost all currants are expected to be consigned from packing sheds by 31 March 1984.
Because the Act allows packers 3½ months to pay levy after the end of the month in which fruit leaves their custody, ending the prescribed period at 31 March will result in levy being payable in mid-July at the latest. This will allow earlier finalisation of the equalization account for currants without any serious financial difficulties for packers and thus expedite finalisation of payment to producers.