EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1988 No. 109
Issued by the Authority of the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy
LIVE-STOCK SLAUGHTER LEVY ACT 1964
LIVE-STOCK SLAUGHTER LEVY REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT)
The Live-stock Slaughter Lew Act 1964 (the Act) imposes a levy on the slaughter of cattle, calves, bobby calves, buffaloes, sheep, lambs and goats. The levy consists of three components, which respectively raise funds for the following purposes:
(a) financing of the Australian Meat and Live-stock Corporation (AMLC)
(b) financing of the Australian Meat and Live-stock Research and Development Corporation (AMLRDC)
(c) bovine disease eradication (only cattle, calves, bobby calves and buffaloes are levied for this purpose).
The Government has decided to accept a recommendation by the AMLRDC to increase the levy components that raise funds to finance its activities. As required by the Act, the recommendation was endorsed at the Annual General Meeting of the AMLRDC on 2 December 1987. The rate increases will commence on 1 July 1988.
Maximum rates are prescribed by the Act for the AMLRDC component and the total of the AMLC and AMLRDC components. The proposed increased rates will not exceed the maximum rates prescribed in the Act.
The present and proposed operative rates and the prescribed maximum rates are as follows:
| Current Rates | Proposed Rates | Prescribed Maximum Rates |
| | (per head) | |
Cattle | | | |
AMLC | $9.80 | $9.80 | — |
AMLRDC | $0.75 | $1.25 | $2.00 |
Total | $10.55 | $11.05 | $18.00 |
Sheep | | | |
AMLC | 29.2 cents | 29.2 cents | — |
AMLRDC | 7.5 cents | 12.5 cents | 20.0 cents |
Total | 36.7 cents | 41.7 cents | 150.0 cents |
Lambs | | | |
AMLC | 59.2 cents | 59.2 cents | — |
AMLRDC | 7.5 cents | 12.5 cents | 20.0 cents |
Total | 66.7 cents | 71.7 cents | 150.0 cents |
Buffaloes | | | |
AMLC | $3.30 | $3.30 | — |
AMLRDC | $0.75 | $1.25 | $2.00 |
Total | $4.05 | $4.55 | $18.00 |
Goats | | | |
AMLC | 16.2 cents | 16.2 cents | — |
AMLRDC | 7.5 cents | 12.5 cents | 20.0 cents |
Total | 23.7 cents | 28.7 cents | 100.0 cents |
Calves | | | |
AMLC | 352.8 cents | 352.8 cents | - |
AMLRDC | 20.0 cents | 33.0 cents | 50.0 cents |
Total | 372.8 cents | 385.8 cents | 630.0 cents |
Bobby Calves | | | |
AMLC | 98.0 cents | 98.0 cents | - |
AMLRDC | 5.5 cents | 9.0 cents | 15.0 cents |
Total | 103.5 cents | 107.0 cents | 180.0 cents |
The AMLRDC requires the additional funds raised by the increased levies to maintain its research program.
The AMLC and bovine disease eradication components of the levy remain unchanged by these Regulations.
Overview
The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1988, issued under the authority of the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy, adjusts the rates of the levy imposed by the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964. This Act originally established a levy on the slaughter of various livestock to fund the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation, the Australian Meat and Livestock Research and Development Corporation, and bovine disease eradication. The amendment increases the levy components specifically for the Australian Meat and Livestock Research and Development Corporation to support its research program, while maintaining the rates for the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation and bovine disease eradication. The increased levies are in line with the maximum rates prescribed in the Act and will come into effect from 1 July 1988, following endorsement by the Australian Meat and Livestock Research and Development Corporation at its Annual General Meeting on 2 December 1987.
Scope and Application
The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1988 apply to the slaughter of cattle, calves, bobby calves, buffaloes, sheep, lambs and goats, imposing a levy for specific funding purposes. The Act applies to all persons or entities involved in the slaughter of these animals within the Commonwealth of Australia. The levy is composed of three components, each intended to fund the Australian Meat and Live-stock Corporation, the Australian Meat and Live-stock Research and Development Corporation, and bovine disease eradication, respectively. The increase in the levy components that finance the AMLRDC is intended to support its research program, with the proposed rates not exceeding the maximum rates prescribed by the Act. These amendments to the Regulations do not alter the rates for the AMLC and bovine disease eradication components of the levy.
Key Provisions
The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964 (the Act) imposes a levy on the slaughter of various livestock including cattle, calves, bobby calves, buffaloes, sheep, lambs, and goats. The levy is divided into three components, each raising funds for specific purposes. The first component finances the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation (AMLC) and remains unchanged. The second component finances the Australian Meat and Livestock Research and Development Corporation (AMLRDC), which has been recommended to increase to support its research program, as endorsed by the AMLRDC Annual General Meeting on 2 December 1987. The third component is for bovine disease eradication, applicable only to cattle, calves, bobby calves, and buffaloes. The current rates for these components are set out in the Act, and the proposed increased rates for the AMLRDC component will not exceed the maximum rates prescribed in the Act.
Under the Act, parties involved in the slaughter of the specified livestock are required to comply with the levy provisions. This includes ensuring that the appropriate levy is collected and paid for each animal slaughtered, according to the rates specified in the Act. The livestock owners or those responsible for the slaughter must accurately report the number of animals processed and pay the corresponding levy amount. The AMLRDC is obligated to use the additional funds raised to maintain and enhance its research activities, while the AMLC and bovine disease eradication components remain unaffected by these amendments.
Failure to comply with the levy requirements can result in civil and criminal consequences. Specifically, under section 8 of the Act, any person who fails to comply with the levy requirements can be fined up to $10,000 for each offence. In cases of repeated or significant non-compliance, the penalties can be more severe. Additionally, the Act provides for the recovery of unpaid levies, which can be pursued in the courts. Failure to pay the levy can lead to legal action against the defaulting party, and in extreme cases, it may result in the seizure of assets to satisfy the outstanding debt.