Gross Value of Production for the Red Meat Industry for 2021-22

Overview

The Australian Meat and Livestock Industry Act 1997 was enacted to provide a framework for the regulation and development of the Australian meat and livestock industry. This Act was introduced to address the need for a comprehensive legislative structure that supports the growth, efficiency, and sustainability of the meat and livestock sector, while also ensuring fair practices and consumer protection. The Act is administered by the Parliament of Australia, with the stated policy objective of fostering a competitive and innovative industry that meets domestic and international market demands. The Act allows for the establishment of industry levies and the allocation of funds to support research, development, and marketing initiatives within the meat and livestock sector. This legislative instrument serves to formalise the Gross Value of Production for the red meat industry for the financial year 2021-22, illustrating the industry's significant contribution to the national economy.

Scope and Application

The Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry Act 1997 applies to the red meat industry, encompassing entities and persons involved in the production, processing, and export of meat products within the Commonwealth. This legislation provides a framework for the regulation of the industry, ensuring compliance with standards and practices that uphold both national and international quality benchmarks. The Act applies to all meat producers, processors, and exporters within the Australian jurisdiction, ensuring a cohesive regulatory environment across the industry. It extends its reach through subordinate instruments which may further define and specify the application of the Act, ensuring detailed and sector-specific compliance. The determination of the Gross Value of Production for the red meat industry for 2021-22, as declared by Alison Curran, is a clear demonstration of the Act's function in quantifying industry output and supporting economic analysis and policy formulation. The Act does not specify any exclusions or exemptions in this context, thereby applying uniformly to all entities within its scope.

Key Provisions

The Australian Meat and Livestock Industry Act 1997 (Cth) provides a framework for the regulation of the meat and livestock industry in Australia. In terms of the Gross Value of Production (GVP) for the 2021-22 period, section 66(3) empowers the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment to delegate the responsibility of determining this value to a delegate. In this case, Alison Curran, Acting First Assistant Secretary, Agricultural Policy Division, has determined the GVP for the red meat industry to be $19,783,374,769 (Section 66(3)). Under the Act, the Secretary or their delegate must assess the GVP of the red meat industry annually and publish this figure in the Gazette. This is a critical component of the Act, as it provides a financial benchmark for the industry and aids in the formulation of policies and regulations. The delegate must base their assessment on comprehensive data and analysis to ensure accuracy and reliability. The Act imposes certain obligations on the parties and entities it governs. Firstly, industry stakeholders must provide accurate and complete data to the delegate for the assessment of the GVP. This includes information on production volumes, market prices, and other relevant factors. Secondly, the delegate must exercise due diligence and impartiality in determining the GVP, ensuring that the assessment is based on sound analysis and evidence. Failure to comply with the requirements of the Act may result in various consequences, including both civil and criminal penalties. For instance, providing false or misleading information to the delegate could result in fines or imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offence. Similarly, the delegate's failure to perform their duties in accordance with the Act could also lead to legal action and penalties. The Act does not specify the exact penalties for breaches, but these would generally be determined by the relevant courts or tribunals based on the circumstances of the case. In summary, the Australian Meat and Livestock Industry Act 1997 (Cth) establishes a framework for the assessment of the Gross Value of Production for the red meat industry in Australia. The Act empowers the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment to delegate this responsibility to a suitable delegate, who must base their assessment on comprehensive data and analysis. The Act also imposes obligations on industry stakeholders to provide accurate and complete data, while the delegate must exercise due diligence and impartiality in their assessment. Breaches of the Act may result in civil or criminal penalties, although the exact penalties are not specified in the text.