Live-Stock Slaughter Levy Collection Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Regulations Under the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Collection Act 1964 were enacted in 1979 as statutory rules to implement and amend the collection and record-keeping processes related to livestock slaughter levies. The problem these regulations were designed to address involved the need for more detailed and accurate records concerning the number of different types of livestock carcases, particularly in relation to cattle, calves, bobby calves, and buffaloes, to ensure appropriate levy collection. The enacting body was the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, with the objective of enhancing the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the livestock slaughter data for levy purposes.

Scope and Application

The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Collection Regulations 1979, made under the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Collection Act 1964, govern the collection of levies on livestock slaughter in Australia. These regulations apply to all persons or entities involved in the slaughter of cattle, calves, bobby calves, and buffaloes, including livestock processors and abattoirs, both within the Commonwealth and across states and territories. The regulations mandate detailed record-keeping for the number of carcases processed, distinguishing between cattle, calves, bobby calves, and buffaloes, and require specific records for carcases condemned as unfit for human consumption. These regulations came into effect on 1 July 1979, replacing and amending previous versions to ensure more comprehensive data collection and reporting. The scope of these regulations extends to the maintenance of proper records, which must include detailed information about the types and numbers of livestock carcases processed, thereby ensuring compliance and facilitating the accurate collection of levies.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of these regulations amend the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Collection Regulations to adjust the types of livestock carcases that must be reported in returns (Regulation 2). Specifically, Regulation 2(a) omits a previous requirement to report on the number of carcases of cattle slaughtered and instead requires this data to be reported, along with additional categories of carcases such as calves, bobby calves, and buffaloes. Regulation 2(b) introduces these new categories, and Regulation 2(c) and (d) adjust references in the regulations to incorporate these new categories. Regulation 3 also mandates that proper records be kept of these categories, specifically the number of cattle, calf, bobby calf, and buffalo carcases that are not condemned or rejected as unfit for human consumption, as well as the number of carcases that were condemned or rejected. The regulations impose obligations on those who must make returns and keep records regarding the number of livestock carcases slaughtered and the reasons for any condemnations. The returns must now include data on the number of carcases of cattle, calves, bobby calves, and buffaloes, and the records must differentiate between carcases that are fit for consumption and those that are condemned or rejected. These obligations are detailed in Regulation 2(a) to (d) and Regulation 3(a) to (c). Failure to comply with these obligations can result in legal consequences as the regulations are made under the authority of the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Collection Act 1964. Any breaches of these regulations, such as failing to report accurate data or keep proper records, may lead to civil or criminal penalties. The specific penalties for breaches of the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Collection Act 1964 are not detailed within these regulations but would be subject to the general penalties provided by the Act, which could include fines or other legal actions. The exact penalties would depend on the severity and nature of the breach, and could potentially involve both civil and criminal liability depending on the circumstances.