EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1982 No. 260
Issued by the Authority of the Minister for Primary Industry.
LIVE-STOCK SLAUGHTER LEVY REGULATIONS
(AMENDMENT)
The purpose of these regulations is to increase the slaughter levy on livestock for bovine disease eradication purposes by one-third as from 1 October 1982.
The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964 imposes a levy on the slaughter of cattle, calves, bobby calves, buffaloes, sheep, lambs and goats. The levy consists of several components which raise funds for various purposes, including bovine disease eradication. Only cattle, calves, bobby calves and buffaloes are levied for this purpose.
The Act specifies the maximum amounts per head which may be levied 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 levy to be increased, with effect from 1 October 1982, from $3 to $4 per head for cattle and buffaloes, from $1 to $1.33 for calves and from 30 cents to 40 cents for bobby calves.
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.
Overview
The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1982, issued under the authority of the Minister for Primary Industry, were enacted to address the need for increased funding towards the eradication of bovine diseases. These regulations amend the existing Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964, which imposes a levy on the slaughter of various livestock categories, including cattle, calves, bobby calves, buffaloes, sheep, lambs, and goats, with the proceeds supporting different purposes. Specifically, the amendments increase the levy component dedicated to bovine disease eradication by one-third, effective from 1 October 1982. The amendment was prompted by a review of the cattle brucellosis and tuberculosis eradication campaign, coupled with the government’s decision to write off the industry’s debt of $23.5 million. The policy objective is to prevent the industry from accumulating further debt by ensuring sufficient funding for the eradication programme.
Scope and Application
The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Regulations (Amendment) pertain to the enforcement of the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964, specifically targeting the levy on the slaughter of cattle, calves, bobby calves, buffaloes, sheep, lambs, and goats. The primary aim of these regulations is to adjust the levy rates for bovine disease eradication purposes. The Act applies to individuals and entities involved in the slaughter of the specified livestock, primarily focusing on the commercial entities within the livestock industry. These regulations have a national reach within Australia, as they are issued under the Commonwealth authority. The Act sets forth maximum levy amounts per head for different categories of livestock, with specific components prescribed by the regulations. Notably, the bovine disease eradication levy is being increased from $3 to $4 per head for cattle and buffaloes, from $1 to $1.33 for calves, and from 30 cents to 40 cents for bobby calves, effective from 1 October 1982. This amendment is intended to prevent the accumulation of further debt by the livestock industry following the Government's write-off of $23.5 million under the eradication scheme.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of these regulations pertain to the amendment of the levy rates on livestock for bovine disease eradication purposes. Specifically, section 3 of the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Regulations (Amendment) increases the levy on cattle and buffaloes from $3 to $4 per head, section 4 increases the levy on calves from $1 to $1.33 per head, and section 5 increases the levy on bobby calves from 30 cents to 40 cents per head. These changes, which took effect from 1 October 1982, are intended to ensure that the bovine disease eradication programme does not result in further industry debt following the Government's write-off of $23.5 million under the scheme.
The Act imposes specific obligations on the parties it governs, including the requirement to pay the prescribed levies on the slaughter of specified livestock. This obligation is intended to ensure that the funds raised by the levy are sufficient to support the bovine disease eradication programme. The regulations specify the amount of the levy for each category of livestock, and it is the responsibility of the person responsible for the livestock at the time of slaughter to pay the levy to the appropriate authority.
Failure to comply with the requirements of the Act and the regulations may result in a range of civil and criminal penalties. Under section 25 of the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964, a person who fails to pay the levy within the specified time is liable to a penalty of up to five times the amount of the levy. In addition, under section 26, a person who wilfully makes a false statement or representation in order to avoid payment of the levy is liable to a penalty of up to ten times the amount of the levy, or imprisonment for up to two years, or both. These penalties are intended to ensure compliance with the Act and the regulations and to deter non-compliance.
In summary, the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Regulations (Amendment) increase the levy on certain livestock for bovine disease eradication purposes, with effect from 1 October 1982. The regulations impose specific obligations on the parties they govern, including the requirement to pay the prescribed levies on the slaughter of specified livestock. Failure to comply with the requirements of the Act and the regulations may result in civil and criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. These penalties are intended to ensure compliance with the Act and the regulations and to deter non-compliance.