EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1988 NO. 146
Issued by the Authority of the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy
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 within prescribed limits 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 6 months and 14 days after the end of the season unless a period other than 6 months is prescribed by regulation.
A large quantity of raisins from the 1987 crop will remain unsold at 30 June 1988 and would have attracted levy shortly after unless the prescribed period was not extended. This fruit will be required to supplement market shortfalls from the smaller 1988 crop and it is not expected to be all sold before March 1989.
If these regulations were not made, payment of levy would have been required well in advance of sales proceeds being received and this would have resulted in a substantial financial burden being placed on producers.
The Statutory Rules prescribe the period for payment of levy on raisins produced in the 1987 season still in packer custody at 15 months commencing from 1 January 1988. The extension is expected to allow sufficient time for the remaining fruit to be sold and for sales proceeds to be received before levy becomes payable.