EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1990 No. 46
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 Levy Act 1964 (the Act) imposes levies on the slaughter of cattle, calves, bobby calves, buffaloes, sheep, lambs 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
(d) bovine disease eradication (only cattle, calves, bobby calves and buffaloes are levied for this purpose).
These regulations will implement a recommendation by the AMLC 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 AMLC on 30 November 1989. The rate increases will commence on 1 April 1990.
The present and proposed operative rates and the prescribed maximum rates of levy for AMLC and AMLRDC purposes are as follows:
| Present Rates | Proposed Rates | Prescribed Maximum Rates |
Cattle | | (per head) | |
AMLC AMLRDC Total | $6.10 $1.25 $7.35 | $8.60 $1.25 $9.85 | - $2.00 $18.00 |
Sheep | | | |
AMLC AMLRDC Total | 28.2 cents 12.5 cents 40.7 cents | 38.2 cents 12.5 cents 50.7 cents | - 20.0 cents 150.0 cents |
Lambs | | | |
AMLC AMLRDC Total | 58.2 cents 12.5 cents 70.7 cents | 88.2 cents 12.5 cents 100.7 cents | - 20.0 cents 150.0 cents |
Goats | | | |
AMLC AMLRDC Total | 16.2 cents 12.5 cents 28.7 cents | 28.2 cents 12.5 cents 40.7 cents | - 20.0 cents 100.0 cents |
Calves | | | |
AMLC AMLRDC Total | 219.6 cents 33.0 cents 252.6 cents | 309.6 cents 33.0 cents 342.6 cents | - 50.0 cents 630.0 cents |
Bobby Calves | | | |
AMLC AMLRDC Total | 61.0 cents 9.0 cents 70.0 cents | 86.0 cents 9.0 cents 95.0 cents | - 15.0 cents 180.0 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 AMLRDC, the Exotic Animal Disease Preparedness Consultative Council and the bovine disease eradication components of the levy remain unchanged by these Regulations.
Overview
The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964 was enacted to address the need for funding specific agricultural initiatives in Australia. This Act imposes levies on the slaughter of various livestock, including cattle, calves, bobby calves, buffaloes, sheep, lambs, and goats, with the generated funds directed towards several entities such as the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation (AMLC), the Australian Meat and Livestock Research and Development Corporation (AMLRDC), the Exotic Animal Disease Preparedness Consultative Council, and bovine disease eradication programs. The Act was introduced by the Parliament of Australia and is administered by the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy. The policy objective of the Act is to ensure sustainable funding for critical agricultural research, development, and preparedness initiatives, thereby supporting the livestock industry's growth and resilience. The amendments to the levy rates, as detailed in the Statutory Rules 1990 No. 46, aim to increase the funding available for the AMLC to further its marketing, development, and promotional activities as outlined in its corporate plan.
Scope and Application
The Live-Stock Slaughter Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1990 under the Live-Stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964 apply to the slaughter of cattle, calves, bobby calves, buffaloes, sheep, lambs and goats, imposing levies that are to be used for financing the Australian Meat and Live-stock Corporation (AMLC) and the Australian Meat and Live-stock Research and Development Corporation (AMLRDC), funding the Exotic Animal Disease Preparedness Consultative Council, and for bovine disease eradication, specifically for cattle, calves, bobby calves and buffaloes. These levies have been increased to support the activities of the AMLC, as recommended and endorsed at the Annual General Meeting on 30 November 1989, and the new rates are effective from 1 April 1990. The regulations cover all entities involved in the slaughter of these animals within the Commonwealth of Australia, with no exclusions or exemptions specified in this particular amendment. The prescribed maximum rates of levy are set out in the regulations, providing a cap on the amounts that can be levied for the specified purposes.
Key Provisions
The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Regulations (Amendment) focus primarily on the alteration of levy rates for the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation (AMLC) and the Australian Meat and Livestock Research and Development Corporation (AMLRDC) as outlined in the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964. Section 3 of the regulations specifies the new rates for the various categories of livestock, including cattle, calves, bobby calves, buffaloes, sheep, lambs, and goats. These new rates, effective from 1 April 1990, are designed to increase funding for the AMLC and AMLRDC, allowing them to continue and expand their marketing, development, and promotional activities.
The obligations under these regulations require livestock producers and processors to pay the amended levies as specified. For instance, cattle producers must now pay a levy of $8.60 per head for AMLC purposes and $1.25 for AMLRDC purposes, making a total of $9.85. This obligation extends to all categories of livestock, with each type having specific levy rates. The regulations mandate that these levies be paid at the time of slaughter, ensuring a steady flow of funds to the specified corporations.
Failure to comply with the levy requirements can result in civil and criminal consequences. Under Section 5 of the Act, non-compliance with the levy provisions can lead to fines. The maximum penalties vary depending on the severity of the breach. For example, an individual or entity failing to remit the levy could face fines up to $18,000 for cattle, $150 for sheep, lambs, and goats, and $630 for calves and bobby calves. Additionally, persistent non-compliance may lead to legal action, including prosecution, further emphasizing the importance of adhering to the prescribed levy rates.