Gross Value of Production for the Buffalo, Chicken Meat, Deer, Ratite, Goat Fibre, Macropods, Honey, Rice, Pasture Seeds, Ginger, Export Fodder, Tea Tree Oil, Thoroughbred Breeding, Grains and Cotton Industries for 2021-22

Overview

The Primary Industries Research and Development Act 1989 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to address the need for research and development funding in the primary industries sector. This legislation was designed to foster innovation and productivity improvements across various agricultural industries, thereby ensuring their long-term sustainability and competitiveness. The policy objective outlined in the Act is to support research and development activities that enhance the efficiency, quality, and marketability of primary products. The Act allows for the determination of the Gross Value of Production (GVP) for specific industries, as demonstrated in the recent determination of GVP for the 2021-22 financial year, which includes industries such as buffalo, chicken meat, deer, and others. This determination by the delegate of the Minister, in this case, Alison Curran, Acting First Assistant Secretary, Agricultural Policy Division, is crucial for the allocation of research and development funds under the Act.

Scope and Application

The Primary Industries Research and Development Act 1989 (Cth) applies to various industries within Australia, specifically focusing on the Gross Value of Production (GVP) for several agricultural sectors for the year 2021-22. The Act sets out the GVP for numerous industries including buffalo, chicken meat, deer, ratite, goat fibre, macropods, honey, rice, pasture seeds, ginger, export fodder, tea tree oil, thoroughbred breeding, grains, and cotton. This legislation is instrumental in determining the financial contributions and economic significance of these industries to the national economy. The scope of the Act encompasses both primary industries and specific agricultural products, establishing a financial baseline for these sectors. The geographic reach of the Act is national, applying to industries across Australia. It does not specify exclusions or exemptions but is comprehensive in its inclusion of the listed industries. The determination of the GVP for these industries aids in policy formulation, funding allocation, and economic analysis related to the primary industries sector in Australia.

Key Provisions

The Primary Industries Research and Development Act 1989 (Cth) provides for the determination of the Gross Value of Production (GVP) for a range of specified agricultural industries for the 2021-22 financial year, as outlined in the gazette. Under this act, the delegate of the Minister, Alison Curran, has determined the GVP for various industries. For example, the GVP for buffalo is set at $11,286,875 (section 32(1A)), for chicken meat at $2,970,727,658, and for deer at $401,498, among others. These figures are critical as they serve as a basis for calculating research and development levies and other financial contributions required under the act. The act imposes several obligations on the parties involved in these industries. Producers and other stakeholders are required to participate in the determination of the GVP and may be subject to levies based on these values. These levies are intended to fund research and development activities aimed at improving productivity and sustainability in the respective industries. Additionally, the act mandates that entities report their production values accurately and comply with any subsequent levies or financial obligations that may arise from these values. Failure to comply with the requirements of the Primary Industries Research and Development Act 1989 can result in significant penalties. While the specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the gazette, under the general provisions of the act, breaches of its requirements can lead to both civil and criminal consequences. Civil penalties might include fines, while criminal penalties could involve imprisonment, depending on the severity and intent behind the breach. The exact penalties would be determined based on the specific provisions of the act and any applicable regulations or subsidiary legislation.