Livestock Export (Merino) Orders (Amendment) (No. 1 of 2007)

Overview

The Export Control Act 1982, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, was designed to provide the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry with the authority to regulate the export of certain goods, including livestock, to ensure they meet national standards and serve the interests of the Australian economy and society. The Livestock Export (Merino) Orders (Amendment) F2007L00104, issued under the authority of the Minister, aim to align the export auction dates and procedures for the 2007 merino sheep breeding rams export season with the current Guidelines and Conditions for Export Sales and Nomination of Merino Rams as Export Semen Donors, as established by the Australian Association of Stud Merino Breeders Limited (AASMB). This amendment was drafted in consultation with the AASMB, reflecting the need to harmonise export regulations with industry standards and practices to facilitate efficient and orderly livestock exports.

Scope and Application

The Livestock Export (Merino) Orders (Amendment) 2007 under the Export Control Act 1982 applies to entities involved in the export of merino breeding rams, specifically targeting the Australian Association of Stud Merino Breeders Limited (AASMB), which represents state merino organisations and oversees all export auctions for merino breeding rams. This legislation aims to integrate the current edition of the Guidelines and Conditions for Export Sales and Nomination of Merino Rams as Export Semen Donors (AASMB Guidelines) into the Orders, thereby updating the auction dates and quota allocations for the 2007 merino export sales season. The Orders also incorporate amendments to definitions such as “designated export auction” and “National Register” to align with the December 2006 edition of the AASMB Guidelines. These amendments ensure the Orders are consistent with the regulations and do not conflict with any overarching provisions made by the Governor-General. The application of these Orders is national in scope, overseen by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in consultation with the AASMB. The Orders are subject to the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 and the Statutory Rules Publications Act 1903, which govern the manner in which the Orders are made and published.

Key Provisions

The Livestock Export (Merino) Orders (Amendment) primarily serves to update the definitions and provisions of the Livestock Export (Merino) Orders to accommodate the export auction dates for the 2007 season. This is achieved by incorporating the current edition of the Guidelines and Conditions for Export Sales and Nomination of Merino Rams as Export Semen Donors (the AASMB Guidelines) into the Orders, as detailed in Order 4 and Suborder 8.2 (a)(ii) and 8.2 (b)(ii). These amendments ensure that the Orders reflect the most recent guidelines established by the Australian Association of Stud Merino Breeders Limited (AASMB), which is the appointed body overseeing all export auctions for merino breeding rams. The Act imposes several obligations on the parties involved, most notably the AASMB. The AASMB is responsible for determining auction dates and quota allocations through a consultative process with its state constituent bodies. The AASMB's role is crucial in ensuring that the export process adheres to the updated guidelines and regulations. The Act also mandates that the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry draft these amendments in consultation with the AASMB, as per section 17 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003. This collaborative approach ensures that the Orders are practical and reflective of the current needs and practices within the industry. In the event of a breach of the Livestock Export (Merino) Orders, various civil and criminal consequences may apply. The specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the provided text, but typically, breaches of export regulations can lead to fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the violation. The maximum penalties would be determined by the relevant laws governing the export control and livestock trade, which are not explicitly mentioned here but would fall under the jurisdiction of the Export Control Act 1982 and any related regulations or guidelines. Compliance with these Orders is essential to avoid such repercussions and to maintain the integrity of the export process.