EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1982 No. 239
Issued by the Authority of the Minister for Primary Industry.
LIVE-STOCK SLAUGHTER LEVY REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT)
These regulations are intended to amend the existing regulations under the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964 so as to increase the amounts levied per head of sheep and lambs.
The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act imposes a levy on the slaughter of cattle, calves, bobby calves, buffaloes, sheep, lambs and goats. The levy consists of 4 components, which respectively raise funds for the following purposes:
(a) Financing of the Australian Meat and Live-stock Corporation (AMLC)
(b) General meat research
(c) Meat Processing research
(d) 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 and section 8 of the Act empowers the Governor-General to do this.
Section 8 also requires that before making such regulations, the Governor-General shall take into consideration any recommendations made to the Minister for Primary Industry by the AMLC. The AMLC is in turn required to consult the industry Consultative Groups established under its enabling Act.
The AMLC has recommended to the Minister for Primary Industry that the component of the levy which raises funds for AMLC activities be increased, in respect of sheep and lambs, by 2 cents per head with effect from 1 October 1982.
The increase is required to give effect to a recent agreement between industry representatives and the Government on a market development fund to promote sheepmeat exports. This is to be operated by the AMLC and financed by a 2 cent increase in the slaughter levy on sheep and lambs.
Before the AMLC made its recommendation to the Minister, it duly consulted the Live-stock Producers Consultative Group and the Meat Exporters and Abattoir Operators Consultative Group.
Overview
The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1982 were introduced to amend the existing regulations under the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964. This legislative amendment was enacted by the Australian Parliament to address a funding shortfall identified by the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation (AMLC) for activities related to the promotion of sheepmeat exports. The objective of these regulations is to increase the levy per head on sheep and lambs by 2 cents, effective from 1 October 1982, to establish a market development fund managed by the AMLC. This adjustment was recommended by the AMLC, following consultations with relevant industry consultative groups, and aligns with an agreement between industry representatives and the Government aimed at enhancing the export market for sheepmeat. The increased levy is specifically designated to finance AMLC activities related to market development, ensuring that the necessary funds are available to support this initiative.
Scope and Application
The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Regulations (Amendment) modify the existing regulations under the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964 to increase the levy imposed on the slaughter of sheep and lambs. This Act applies to individuals or entities involved in the slaughter of livestock, specifically cattle, calves, bobby calves, buffaloes, sheep, lambs, and goats, within Australia. The increased levy is to be used for the financing of the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation, general meat research, meat processing research, and bovine disease eradication (for cattle, calves, bobby calves, and buffaloes). The amendment is a response to a recommendation from the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation, following consultations with industry groups, to increase funding for a market development fund aimed at promoting sheepmeat exports. The amendment is limited to a 2 cent per head increase on sheep and lambs, effective from 1 October 1982. The Act does not specify exclusions or exemptions, and the regulations are subject to alteration through subordinate instruments as needed.
Key Provisions
The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Regulations (Amendment) (C2004L05084) modify the existing regulations under the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964 by raising the levy per head of sheep and lambs. These amendments are designed to meet the needs of the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation (AMLC) for additional funding to establish a market development fund aimed at promoting sheepmeat exports. This increase, set at 2 cents per head, is effective from 1 October 1982, as per section 8 of the Act. The Act, which mandates a levy on the slaughter of various livestock categories, including cattle, calves, bobby calves, buffaloes, sheep, lambs, and goats, has four components that serve distinct purposes: financing the AMLC, supporting general meat research, funding meat processing research, and eradicating bovine diseases for cattle, calves, bobby calves, and buffaloes.
The obligations placed upon the parties governed by these regulations include adherence to the prescribed levy amounts as stipulated by the Governor-General. This regulatory process requires the Governor-General to consider any recommendations made by the AMLC to the Minister for Primary Industry, which in turn consults with industry Consultative Groups. The AMLC is mandated to consult with the Livestock Producers Consultative Group and the Meat Exporters and Abattoir Operators Consultative Group before making recommendations to the Minister. The AMLC's role in proposing the levy increase aligns with the objectives of the market development fund, which is intended to foster the growth of the sheepmeat export market.
Non-compliance with the amended levy regulations can result in civil or criminal consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed within the explanatory statement, breaches of statutory requirements under the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964 could lead to fines or other legal actions. The maximum penalties for non-compliance would typically depend on the nature and severity of the breach, and would be determined by relevant courts or tribunals in accordance with the governing legislation. Parties affected by these regulations are expected to comply with the prescribed levy rates to avoid potential legal repercussions.