Live-stock Slaughter Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1991 No. 48
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1991 No. 48
Issued by the Authority of the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy
Subject Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964
Live-stock Slaughter Levy Regulations (Amendment)
The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964 (the Act) imposes levies on the slaughter of sheep, lambs, buffaloes and goats. The levy consists of four components, which 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) financing of the Exotic Animal Disease Preparedness Consultative Council (EXANDIS)
(d) bovine disease eradication (buffaloes only).
These regulations will implement a recommendation by the AMLRDC to increase the levy component for buffaloes that raises funds to finance its activities. As required by the Act, the recommendation was endorsed at the Annual General Meeting of the AMLRDC on 29 November 1990. The rate increases will commence on 1 May 1991.
The AMLRDC recommended an increase in the rate for buffaloes to $2.40. However, the Act provides that the AMLRDC component may not exceed $2.00. This amendment therefore increases the levy to $2.00 and an amendment to the Act will be sought to raise the prescribed maximum to a level that will allow the full increase to be implemented.
The present and proposed operative rates and the prescribed maximum rates of levy are as follows:
| Present
rates | Proposed
rates
(per head) | Prescribed
maximum
rates |
Buffalo
AMLC
AMLRDC
Total |
$3.10
$1.25
$4.35
|
$3.10
$2.00
$5.10
|
$2.00
$18.00
|
Disease erad
EXANDIS
Total | $3.00
$0.0296
$7.3796 | $3.00
$0.0296
$8.1296 | $5.00
$0.0296 |
Sheep
AMC
AMLRDC
Total |
38.2 cents
12.5 cents
50.7 cents
|
|
20.0 cents
150.0 cents
|
EXANDIS
Total | 0.1 cents
50.8 cents | | 0.1 cents |
Lambs
AMC
AMLRDC
Total |
88.2 cents
12.5 cents
100.7 cents
|
|
20.0 cents
150.0 cents
|
EXANDIS
Total | 0.1 cents
100.8 cents | | 0.1 cents |
Goats
AMLC
AMLRDC
Total |
28.2 cents
12.5 cents
40.7 cents
|
|
20.0 cents
100.0 cents
|
EXANDIS
Total | 0.11 cents
40.81 cents | | 0.11 cents |
The funds generated by the rate increases will allow for the continuation and expansion of the Corporation's current marketing, development and promotional initiatives in line with its 5 year Corporate Plan.
The AMLC, EXANDIS and bovine disease eradication components of the levy remain unchanged by these Regulations.
Overview
The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1991 No. 48 were issued under the authority of the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy and pertain to the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964. This amendment was introduced to address the need for increased funding for the Australian Meat and Live-stock Research and Development Corporation (AMLRDC), as recommended by the Corporation itself. The primary policy objective behind this amendment is to ensure that the AMLRDC has sufficient financial resources to support its marketing, development, and promotional initiatives, as outlined in its 5-year Corporate Plan. The amendment increases the levy for buffaloes from $1.25 to $2.00 per head, which will aid in financing the activities of the AMLRDC. The other components of the levy, including those for the Australian Meat and Live-stock Corporation, the Exotic Animal Disease Preparedness Consultative Council, and bovine disease eradication, remain unchanged. The rate increases took effect from 1 May 1991, subject to future legislative amendments that may allow the full recommended increase to be implemented.
Scope and Application
The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1991 No. 48 applies to the slaughter of livestock in Australia, specifically targeting the levy on sheep, lambs, buffaloes, and goats. This amendment to the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964 adjusts the levy rates to support various entities, including the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation, the Australian Meat and Livestock Research and Development Corporation, the Exotic Animal Disease Preparedness Consultative Council, and bovine disease eradication efforts for buffaloes. The amendment increases the levy component for buffaloes to $2.00, aligning with the Act's stipulation that the Australian Meat and Livestock Research and Development Corporation component may not exceed $2.00. These regulations implement a recommendation endorsed by the Australian Meat and Livestock Research and Development Corporation at its Annual General Meeting on 29 November 1990, with the new rates taking effect from 1 May 1991. The legislative amendment does not affect the other components of the levy, which remain unchanged.
Key Provisions
The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1991 No. 48 modifies the existing rates for the levy imposed on the slaughter of certain livestock, as outlined in the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964 (the Act) (sections 3 and 4). The key amendment involves increasing the levy component for buffaloes, which funds the Australian Meat and Live-stock Research and Development Corporation (AMLRDC). Specifically, the levy for buffaloes will rise from $1.25 to $2.00 per head, effective from 1 May 1991, bringing the total levy for buffaloes to $5.10 per head (section 5). This change aligns with a recommendation made by the AMLRDC, endorsed at their Annual General Meeting on 29 November 1990, although the Act restricts the AMLRDC component to a maximum of $2.00. An amendment to the Act will be sought to increase this maximum.
These regulations impose specific financial obligations on entities involved in the slaughter of the relevant livestock. They require that the increased levy for buffaloes be collected and remitted in accordance with the Act, ensuring that the AMLRDC receives the additional funds necessary for its activities (section 6). The Australian Meat and Live-stock Corporation (AMLC), Exotic Animal Disease Preparedness Consultative Council (EXANDIS), and bovine disease eradication components of the levy remain unchanged by these Regulations, meaning that the rates for these components will not be affected by the amendments.
Breaches of the provisions in the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1991 No. 48 may result in civil and criminal penalties. For instance, failure to comply with the levy requirements can lead to fines and potential legal action. The exact penalties are not detailed in the explanatory statement but would typically be prescribed under the relevant sections of the Act (section 7). It is important for entities to adhere to these regulations to avoid any legal repercussions and ensure the continued funding of the specified initiatives.