Meat Chicken Levy Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Meat Chicken Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1997 No. 163 was enacted to adjust the rates of the levy imposed by the Meat Chicken Levy Act 1969, addressing the need to increase funding for the Australian Animal Health Council (AAHC) from the proceeds of the meat chicken levy. The Act was passed by the Parliament of Australia to ensure the collection of a levy on meat chickens hatched in Australia, with a portion of these funds directed towards the AAHC to support their activities. This amendment was necessitated by the need to clear a debt of $38,782 owed by the AAHC for the 1996/97 financial year. The regulations were issued under the authority of the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy, aligning with the recommendations of the Australian Chicken Meat Federation, and reflect the policy objective of ensuring adequate funding for animal health initiatives.

Scope and Application

The Meat Chicken Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1997 No. 163, made under the Meat Chicken Levy Act 1969, apply to the hatching of meat chickens in Australia. The Act imposes a levy on these chickens, with a portion allocated to the Australian Animal Health Council (AAHC) to fund their activities. The levy rates, set forth in the amended regulations, increase from zero to 0.024 cents per chicken hatched from 1 July 1997, reducing to 0.0132 cents per chicken from 1 July 1998. This amendment is designed to address a debt owed to the AAHC for the 1996/97 financial year, amounting to $38,782. The regulations, which commenced on 1 July 1997, were made in accordance with the legislative framework and recommendations from the Australian Chicken Meat Federation, ensuring the levy rates are consistent with industry input.

Key Provisions

The Meat Chicken Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1997 No. 163 primarily focus on amending the levy rates for meat chickens hatched in Australia, in accordance with the Meat Chicken Levy Act 1969 (the Act) (section 11). This amendment introduces a new levy from zero to 0.024 cents per meat chicken hatched, effective from 1 July 1997, for the purposes of the Australian Animal Health Council (AAHC) (section 3). The levy rate then reduces to 0.0132 cents per meat chicken hatched from 1 July 1998 (section 4). This adjustment aligns with the recommendations made by the Australian Chicken Meat Federation (ACMF) to the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy (subsection 7(3)). The Act imposes specific obligations on the parties involved. The Governor-General, as the authority to make regulations, must consider the recommendations of the ACMF before setting the levy rates (subsection 7(3)). The ACMF is tasked with providing these recommendations to ensure that the levy rates are appropriate and sufficient to meet the funding requirements of the AAHC. The amendment ensures that the levy rates are set in a manner that reflects the financial needs and recommendations of the relevant industry body. Breach of the provisions within the Meat Chicken Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1997 No. 163 could result in civil or criminal consequences, depending on the nature and severity of the non-compliance. Although the explanatory statement does not specify the exact penalties, breaches of regulations typically attract fines or other sanctions as stipulated by the relevant laws. The Act and the associated regulations are designed to ensure compliance through financial means, with the levy serving as a funding mechanism for the AAHC. In summary, the Meat Chicken Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1997 No. 163 establishes a new levy rate for meat chickens hatched in Australia, increasing from zero to 0.024 cents from 1 July 1997, and then reducing to 0.0132 cents from 1 July 1998. The amendment reflects the recommendations of the ACMF and is intended to address the funding needs of the AAHC. The Act outlines the process for setting these rates and the obligations of the Governor-General and the ACMF. Non-compliance with these regulations could lead to civil or criminal penalties, although specific penalties are not detailed in the explanatory statement.