EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Subject: Horticulture Marketing and Research and Development Services Act 2000
Horticulture Marketing and Research and Development Services (Export Efficiency) Regulations 2002
Horticulture Marketing and Research and Development Services {Regulated Horticultural Products and Markets [Stone Fruit (Peaches and Plums) to Taiwan]} Revocation Order 2005
Horticultural exports are subject to Export Efficiency Powers (EEP) contained in the Horticulture Marketing and Research and Development Services Act 2000 (HMRDS Act), which are administered by Horticulture Australia Ltd (HAL).
Under these powers, the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) may make Orders to regulate horticultural exports.
On 18 December 2002, Michael Taylor, the then Secretary, made Order (No.1) 2002 to, among other things, regulate Australia’s stone fruit export quota for Taiwan.
After Taiwan joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO) it liberalised its stone fruit imports, making Order (No.1) 2002 for stone fruit unnecessary.
A Three-Year Review of EEP recommended that Order (No.1) 2002 be rescinded in relation to stone fruit to Taiwan, and on 26 June 2005 former Minister Truss agreed with the review’s recommendation.
The Office of Legislative Drafting was consulted in the preparation of the Order.