Meat Export Charge Regulations

Administered by Department of Agriculture

Legislation au F1996B01871 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Meat Export Charge Regulations

Statutory Rules 1984 No. 345 as amended

made under the

Meat Export Charge Act 1984

This compilation was prepared on 17 August 2004
taking into account amendments up to SR 1990 No. 99

Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting,
Attorney-General’s Department, Canberra

Contents

 1 Citation [see Note 1] 

 2 Interpretation 

 3 Prescribed tissue-definition of meat

 4 Prescribed products-definition of meat product

 5 Certificate in relation to import from Australia 

 6 Relevant period in relation to meat or meat products 

 7 Rate of charge payable in relation to application 

 8 Determination of weight of meat 

Notes  

 

 

 

 

1 Citation [see Note 1]

  These Regulations may be cited as the Meat Export Charge Regulations.

2 Interpretation

  In these Regulations:

manual means Volume 2 (sub-titled ‘Requirements of Overseas Countries’) of the Second Edition of the manual entitled ‘Manual of Instruction for Meat Inspection and Meat Handling Procedures’, published by the Australian Government Publishing Service, as in force at the commencement of these Regulations.

the Act means the Meat Export Charge Act 1984.

3 Prescribed tissue — definition of meat

  For the purposes of paragraph (d) of the definition of meat in subsection 3 (1) of the Act, tissue of a kind that is commonly known as pharmaceutical material is prescribed.

4 Prescribed products — definition of meat product

  For the purposes of the definition of meat product in subsection 3 (1) of the Act, the following products are prescribed:

 (a) gelatin;

 (b) regenerated collagen;

 (c) soup;

 (d) tallow.

5 Certificate in relation to import from Australia

  For the purposes of subsection 3 (3) of the Act:

 (a) a form of the following kind is specified, namely, the form in the manual that makes provision for an authorized officer under the Export Control Act to certify that the meat or meat products described in the form is or are fit for human consumption; and

 (b) the following manner of completion and lodgement of a form is specified, namely:

 (i) completion in accordance with the requirements of the manual; and

 (ii) lodgement at:

 (A) the principal office of the Department in Canberra or in the capital city of a State; or

 (B) the office of the Department in Fremantle in Western Australia.

6 Relevant period in relation to meat or meat products

  For the purposes of subsection 3 (4) of the Act, the period of 3 months commencing upon the day of grant of an export permit in relation to meat or meat products is, for the purposes of the Act, the relevant period in relation to that meat or those meat products.

7 Rate of charge payable in relation to application

 (1) For the purposes of subsection 6 (1) of the Act, the rate of 2.8 cents per kilogram is prescribed for an application made on or after 1 October 1989 in relation to meat that was prepared for export before that date.

 (2) For the purposes of subsection 6 (2) of the Act, the rate of 2.8 cents per kilogram is prescribed for an application made on or after 1 October 1989 in relation to meat that was used as an ingredient in the production of meat products that were prepared for export before that date.

 (3) For the purposes of this regulation, meat or a meat product:

 (a) that is prescribed goods within the meaning of the Export Control Act 1982; and

 (b) that is packaged; and

 (c) the date of packaging of which has been applied to the packaging in accordance with Part 22 of the Export Meat Orders, made under that Act, as in force at the date of commencement of this subregulation;

is to be taken to be prepared for export on the date so marked.

8 Determination of weight of meat

  Where meat to which an application of the kind referred to in paragraph 5 (1) (a) or (b) of the Act relates comprises part of a carcase, or part of a portion of a carcase, being a carcase or portion from which none of the bone has been removed, the weight of that meat shall be deemed to be:

 (a) in the case of meat (other than meat the trade description of which, under the Export Control Act, is veal) from bovine animals, buffaloes, deer or equine animals — a weight equal to 66% of the weight of that carcase or portion; and

 (b) in any other case-a weight equal to 50% of the weight of that carcase or portion.

Notes to the Meat Export Charge Regulations

Note 1

The Meat Export Charge Regulations (in force under the Meat Export Charge Act 1984) as shown in this compilation comprise Statutory Rules 1984 No. 345 amended as indicated in the Tables below.

Table of Statutory Rules

Year and
number

Date of notification
in Gazette

Date of
commencement

Application, saving or
transitional provisions

1984 No. 345

30 Nov 1984

30 Nov 1984

 

1985 No. 238

27 Sept 1985

27 Sept 1985

1988 No. 143

30 June 1988

1 July 1988

1988 No. 243

30 Sept 1988

1 Oct 1988

1989 No. 254

29 Sept 1989

29 Sept 1989

1990 No. 99

23 May 1990

23 May 1990

 

Table of Amendments

ad. = added or inserted      am. = amended      rep. = repealed      rs. = repealed and substituted

Provision affected

How affected

R. 7.................

am. 1988 Nos. 143 and 243

 

rs. 1989 No. 254

 

am. 1990 No. 99

R. 8.................

am. 1985 No. 238

 

 

Overview

The Meat Export Charge Regulations (Statutory Rules 1984 No. 345, as amended) were enacted under the Meat Export Charge Act 1984. This legislative instrument was designed to address the need for a structured and regulated system for levying charges on meat exports, ensuring compliance with export standards and maintaining the quality and safety of Australian meat products in international markets. The regulations were established by the Parliament of Australia and serve to implement the policy objectives outlined in the Act, focusing on maintaining and enhancing Australia's reputation for high-quality meat exports while generating revenue from the export industry. These regulations provide the framework for defining terms, setting rates for charges, and establishing procedures for certification and compliance, thus ensuring that exported meat meets stringent health and safety standards. The Meat Export Charge Regulations detail various definitions, including those for meat and meat products, outline the certification process for exports, specify the relevant periods for charge applications, and establish rates for the charges levied. They also address the determination of meat weight for the purposes of calculating charges, ensuring that all stakeholders are aware of their obligations and the requirements for exporting meat from Australia. This legislative instrument has been amended several times since its initial enactment to reflect changes in the industry, regulatory requirements, and policy adjustments.

Scope and Application

The Meat Export Charge Regulations, which were made under the Meat Export Charge Act 1984, apply to all entities involved in the export of meat and meat products from Australia. These regulations cover the definition of meat and meat products, the certification process for exports, the relevant period for determining the export status of meat and meat products, the rate of charge payable in relation to applications, and the determination of the weight of meat. These regulations apply on a national level across Australia, and they are enforced by the Australian Government. The Act includes certain exclusions, such as meat that is classified as prescribed goods under the Export Control Act 1982, and meat that has been packaged with an export date in accordance with the Export Meat Orders. The scope of the Act can be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Meat Export Charge Regulations (MER) under the Meat Export Charge Act 1984 outline specific provisions for the charge applicable to meat exports. Section 3 defines "meat" to include tissue commonly known as pharmaceutical material (section 3). Section 4 prescribes specific products as "meat products" for the purposes of the Act, including gelatin, regenerated collagen, soup, and tallow (section 4). The Regulations also specify the form and manner of completion and lodgement of a certificate for imported meat or meat products, which must be completed in accordance with the "Manual" and lodged at designated Department offices (section 5). These Regulations impose several obligations on parties involved in the export of meat and meat products. Exporters must ensure that meat and meat products meet the standards and requirements outlined in the "Manual" and are accompanied by the appropriate certificate if required. The Regulations also specify the rate of charge applicable to meat and meat products exported before and after certain dates, which is 2.8 cents per kilogram (section 7). Additionally, the Regulations define the relevant period for determining the charge, which is the three months following the grant of an export permit (section 6). Failure to comply with the Meat Export Charge Regulations may result in various penalties and consequences. While specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the Regulations themselves, the Meat Export Charge Act 1984 under which these Regulations are made, provides for both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines up to $11,000 for individuals and $55,000 for bodies corporate, while criminal penalties may include fines up to $55,000 for individuals and $275,000 for bodies corporate, along with potential imprisonment terms. The precise penalties depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as well as any relevant provisions in the Meat Export Charge Act 1984.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.