Dried Vine Fruits Stabilization Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1976 No. 86, made under the Dried Vine Fruits Stabilization Act 1971, establishes regulations to support the dried vine fruit industry by setting and maintaining stable prices. Enacted by the Governor-General, acting on advice from the Executive Council, the regulation aims to address the need for a stable pricing structure for dried vine fruits such as currants, sultanas, and raisins, ensuring that growers receive fair compensation for their produce. This legislative instrument was introduced to fill a gap in the market by providing a clear and consistent base price for these fruits, thereby protecting the economic interests of the growers and contributing to the overall stability of the industry.

Scope and Application

The Dried Vine Fruits Stabilization Regulations 1976, made under the authority of the Dried Vine Fruits Stabilization Act 1971, apply to the dried vine fruits industry within Australia, specifically targeting the stabilisation of prices for the 1975 season. These regulations are designed to ensure that the base prices for currants, sultanas, and raisins are accurately established to support both producers and consumers in the market. The Act and subsequent regulations extend their jurisdiction across the Commonwealth of Australia, thereby affecting all entities involved in the production, sale, and distribution of dried vine fruits within the country. The regulations set forth specific base prices for the designated types of dried vine fruits, which are intended to serve as a benchmark for transactions in the market during the 1975 season. Additionally, the legislation provides a framework that allows for adjustments and updates through subordinate instruments, enabling the continued adaptation of base prices in response to market conditions and other relevant factors. This regulatory approach ensures that the legislative intent of stabilising the dried vine fruits market is effectively realised.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this regulation, which was made under the Dried Vine Fruits Stabilization Act 1971, concern the setting of the base price for dried vine fruits for the season that commenced on 1 January 1975. Specifically, section 5 establishes the base price for different types of dried vine fruits, namely currants, sultanas, and raisins, with currants set at $442.93 per ton, sultanas at $402.93 per ton, and raisins at $372.93 per ton (section 5). This section directly amends the Dried Vine Fruits Stabilization Regulations and introduces a new regulation following regulation 4. The regulation imposes specific obligations on parties and entities involved in the production, processing, and sale of dried vine fruits. It mandates that the base price set forth in section 5 must be used as the benchmark for determining the market value of these products for the specified season. This requirement ensures consistency and fairness in the pricing structure for the industry, facilitating transparent transactions and helping to stabilise the market. Non-compliance with the provisions of this regulation may lead to civil and criminal consequences. While specific penalties are not detailed in the regulation itself, breaches of the Dried Vine Fruits Stabilization Act 1971 or its associated regulations could result in fines or other legal actions as stipulated by the Act. The severity of these penalties may vary based on the nature and extent of the breach, and could include potential criminal charges for severe or repeated violations.