Live-Stock Export Charge Regulations (Amendment)

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

STATUTORY RULES 1985 No. 24

Issued by the Authority of the Minister for Primary Industry.

LIVE-STOCK EXPORT CHARGE REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT)

The Live-stock Export Charge Act 1977 imposes a charge on cattle, buffaloes, sheep, lambs and goats exported from Australia. The charge consists of 3 components, which respectively raise funds for the following purposes:

(a) Financing of the Australian Meat and Live-stock Corporation (AMLC)

(b) General meat industry research

(c) Bovine disease eradication (only cattle and buffaloes are subject to charge for this purpose).

The Government has decided to accept an Australian Meat and Live-stock Corporation recommendation that the charge component that raises funds to finance Australian Meat and Live-stock Corporation activities be increased. The new rates will come into effect on 1 April 1985. The present and proposed operative rates and the ceiling rates currently applicable to the AMLC operative rates are as follows:

For the past 18 months AMLC revenues have been falling short of expenditures, and reserves accumulated in earlier years have been run down substantially. The proposed rate increases are necessary to maintain essential programs to the end of 1985/86.