Live-Stock Slaughter Levy Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1991 No. 368, issued under the authority of the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy, amends the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Regulations to adjust the levy rates for buffaloes, effective from 1 December 1991. The original Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964 established a levy on the slaughter of sheep, lambs, buffaloes, and goats, with funds allocated to the Australian Meat and Live-stock Corporation, the Meat Research Corporation, the Exotic Animal Disease Preparedness Consultative Council, and bovine disease eradication for buffaloes. Given the success of the Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign, which is transitioning to a monitoring phase, and the sufficient reserves in the National Cattle Disease Eradication Trust Account, the Cattle Council of Australia recommended a reduction in the levy rates for bovine disease eradication. The Minister has accepted this recommendation, leading to the amendment of the levy rates for buffaloes. The policy objective behind these amendments is to reflect the changing needs and circumstances of disease eradication programs and to ensure the efficient allocation of funds. The new rates lower the levy for disease eradication purposes while maintaining the other components of the levy at their existing rates. This adjustment is intended to respond to the improved disease control situation and to provide appropriate financial support for ongoing monitoring and research activities.

Scope and Application

The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1991 No. 368 applies to the regulations under the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964, specifically addressing the levy imposed on the slaughter of sheep, lambs, buffaloes, and goats. This levy is structured to fund the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation (AMLC), the Meat Research Corporation (MRC), the Exotic Animal Disease Preparedness Consultative Council (EXANDIS), and bovine disease eradication for buffaloes. The Regulations are applicable to the entities involved in the slaughter of these livestock and operate within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia. The amendment primarily affects the levy rates for buffaloes for bovine disease eradication purposes, reducing the rate as recommended by the Cattle Council of Australia, following the successful Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign. The changes to the levy rates for buffaloes will take effect from 1 December 1991, while the other components of the levy remain unchanged.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1991 No. 368 primarily concern the amendment of the rates of levy applied to the slaughter of buffaloes for bovine disease eradication purposes. Under the existing regulations, a levy was imposed on the slaughter of sheep, lambs, buffaloes, and goats to fund various entities, including the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation, the Meat Research Corporation, and the Exotic Animal Disease Preparedness Consultative Council. The levy also funds bovine disease eradication for buffaloes. Section 3 of the amending regulations specifies the new rates for the levy on buffaloes, reflecting the successful transition of the Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign to a monitoring phase and the current level of reserves in the National Cattle Disease Eradication Trust Account. The obligations imposed by these regulations on the parties governed include the requirement to adjust the levy rates as per the new rates set out in the amending regulations. The Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation, the Meat Research Corporation, and the Exotic Animal Disease Preparedness Consultative Council will need to ensure that their financial records and reporting accurately reflect the new levy rates for buffaloes, effective from 1 December 1991. The entities collecting the levies are also obligated to ensure that the new rates are implemented uniformly and that any discrepancies are promptly addressed. Failure to comply with these new rates could result in non-compliance with the Act and potential financial discrepancies in the funding of the specified entities. The regulations also establish civil and criminal consequences for breaches. While specific offences and penalties are not detailed within the provided text, it is generally understood that non-compliance with statutory rules made under the authority of the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy can lead to significant consequences. Typically, breaches of such regulations can result in fines or other penalties as prescribed by law. In severe cases, persistent non-compliance or fraudulent activities might lead to more severe penalties, including imprisonment. The exact penalties would be determined based on the specific nature of the breach and the provisions of the primary Act and any relevant subsidiary legislation.