Overview

The Pig Industry Act 2001 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to establish a framework for the regulation of the pig industry, including the calculation and determination of the Gross Value of Production (GVP) for the industry. This legislation was introduced to address the need for accurate and reliable data on the economic performance of the pig industry, which is essential for effective policy making and industry planning. The Act provides the authority for the Minister for Agriculture to determine the GVP, which is a key indicator of the industry's economic health. On 8th July 2019, Bridget McKenzie, the Minister for Agriculture, exercised this authority to determine the GVP for the pig industry for the 2018-19 financial year, setting the figure at $1,215,120,151. This determination is critical for providing a transparent and quantifiable measure of the industry's contribution to the national economy and for guiding future policy and investment decisions.

Scope and Application

The Pig Industry Act 2001 applies to entities involved in the pig industry, including producers, processors, and other stakeholders engaged in activities related to the production and commercialisation of pigs. The act governs the determination of the Gross Value of Production (GVP) for the pig industry, a figure essential for various purposes such as financial reporting, tax assessments, and policy formulation. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this legislation is national, as it pertains to the entire pig industry within Australia. The determination of the GVP for the 2018-19 period, amounting to $1,215,120,151, is made under the authority vested in the Minister for Agriculture, as specified in subsection 10(8) of the Act. This determination is crucial for providing a benchmark for economic analysis and industry performance. While the Act itself sets the framework, specific details and additional regulations may be established through subordinate instruments, further extending or refining its application.

Key Provisions

The Pig Industry Act 2001 (the Act) establishes a framework for the regulation and oversight of the Australian pig industry. A significant component of this is the determination of the Gross Value of Production (GVP) for the pig industry, which is a critical metric for various economic and regulatory purposes. Under section 10(8) of the Act, the Minister for Agriculture, Bridget McKenzie, has the authority to determine the GVP for each financial year, ensuring that this key economic indicator is formally recognised and recorded (s 10(8)). For the 2018-19 financial year, the Minister has determined the GVP for the pig industry to be $1,215,120,151, a figure that reflects the total economic output of the industry during that period (s 10(8)). The Act imposes specific obligations on the Minister for Agriculture to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the GVP determination. This includes conducting a thorough review of industry data and economic metrics to arrive at an accurate figure. The Minister must also ensure that this determination is made in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Act and is publicly announced to inform stakeholders within the industry and broader economic community (s 10(8)). The determination process must be transparent, ensuring that all stakeholders have access to the data and methodologies used in arriving at the GVP figure. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Act, including the accurate determination of the GVP, may result in legal consequences. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the provided excerpt, it is clear that the Act seeks to enforce its provisions through regulatory oversight and potential legal action. The Minister’s determination of the GVP is a critical function that supports various regulatory and economic functions, and any failure to accurately determine this figure could potentially lead to legal challenges or other consequences as stipulated by the Act. The precise nature and extent of these consequences would be further detailed in other sections of the Act or related regulations.