Overview

The Pig Industry Act 2001, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, was introduced to address specific issues within the pig industry, particularly concerning research and development activities. The Act enables the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources to delegate the determination of the Gross Value of Production for the industry, which is a critical measure used to fund research and development initiatives. The policy objective of the Act is to ensure that the pig industry has the necessary financial resources to support ongoing research and development efforts that improve productivity, sustainability, and overall industry performance. As a delegate of the Minister, Fran Freeman, First Assistant Secretary of the Agricultural Policy Division, determined the Gross Value of Production for the pig industry for the 2015-16 financial year to be $1,194,390,622. This determination was made to ensure that funds are available for research and development activities that benefit the entire industry.

Scope and Application

The Pig Industry Act 2001 is a piece of Australian Commonwealth legislation that governs the pig industry within Australia. This Act applies to all entities and individuals involved in the production, processing, marketing, and distribution of pig meat and related products. Its primary focus is on ensuring the sustainability and growth of the industry, with a specific emphasis on funding research and development activities. The Act mandates the collection of a gross value production levy from participants in the industry, which is to be allocated towards research and development initiatives. This Act has a nationwide reach, applying uniformly across all states and territories of Australia. The geographic and jurisdictional reach is extensive, ensuring consistent application and compliance across the country. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the text, although it is likely that the Act extends or restricts its application through subordinate instruments. The Act’s focus is on the pig industry specifically, and thus it does not apply to other agricultural sectors or unrelated industries. The determination of the Gross Value of Production for the 2015-16 financial year, as gazetted on 27th June 2016, underscores the Act's role in financial management and resource allocation for industry development.

Key Provisions

The legislation, C2016G00951 (Gazette), pertains to the determination of the Gross Value of Production (GVP) for the pig industry for the financial year 2015-16. This determination is made under subsection 43(1) of the Pig Industry Act 2001, where Fran Freeman, as a delegate of the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, has been authorised to set this figure (sections 43(1) and 10(8)(a)). The GVP for the pig industry for the specified period has been established at $1,194,390,622, which is intended to fund research and development activities within the industry. The Act imposes specific obligations on the parties it governs, particularly in ensuring that the calculated GVP is accurately reflected and subsequently utilised for the purposes of research and development. The industry must ensure compliance with these provisions by accurately reporting production figures and using the allocated funds as stipulated by the Act. Section 43(1) and section 10(8)(a) play a critical role in enforcing these obligations, ensuring that the financial contributions made by the industry are properly accounted for and directed towards enhancing agricultural research and development. In terms of penalties and consequences for non-compliance, the Act does not explicitly detail specific offences or penalties within the gazetted legislation. However, it is implicit that failure to comply with the requirements set forth could result in legal ramifications under the Pig Industry Act 2001. The precise penalties for non-compliance would likely be found within the broader provisions of the Pig Industry Act, which could include fines, legal action, or other administrative penalties. The Act's intent is to ensure that the financial contributions from the pig industry are accurately determined and appropriately used, thereby maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of agricultural research and development initiatives.