EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1982 No. 261
Issued by the Authority of the Minister for Primary Industry
LIVE-STOCK EXPORT CHARGE REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT)
The purpose of these regulations is to increase the export charge on livestock for bovine disease eradication purposes by one-third as from 1 October 1982.
The Live-stock Export Charge Act 1977 imposes a charge on cattle, buffaloes, sheep, lambs and goats exported from Australia. The charge consists of several components which raise funds for various purposes, including bovine disease eradication. Only cattle and buffaloes are subject to charge for that purpose.
The Act specifies the maximum amounts per head which may be imposed under the various components in respect of each category of livestock. The operative amounts are prescribed by regulation.
The proposed regulations provide for the bovine disease eradication component of the charge to be increased, with effect from 1 October 1982, from $3 to $4 per head for both cattle and buffaloes.
This action flows from a review of the cattle brucellosis and tuberculosis eradication campaign in the context of the 1982/83 Budget. It is designed to ensure that, following the write-off by the Government of the industry’s debt of $23.5 million under the scheme, the continuing programme does not result in the industry building up a further debt.