Primary Industries Levies and Charges (Citrus) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Primary Industries Levies and Charges (Citrus) Regulations 1991 were enacted to address the need for increased funding for the Horticultural Research and Development Corporation, which supports joint industry and government research and development activities in Australia's horticultural industries. The regulations were issued by the Authority of the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy, in accordance with the provisions of the Horticultural Levy Act 1987, the Horticultural Export Charge Act 1987, and the Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Act 1991. The policy objective of these regulations is to provide for the manner of payment and the rate of levy payable by citrus growers, in order to support the research and development activities of the Corporation. Following a recommendation from the Chairman of the Corporation and the support of the Australian Citrus Growers' Federation, the rates of levy and export charge were increased to further the Corporation's work, with new rates of $1 per tonne in bulk and 2 cents per box effective from 1 October 1991.

Scope and Application

The Primary Industries Levies and Charges (Citrus) Regulations 1991 No. 276, issued under the authority of the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy, pertain to the collection of levies and charges to fund the Horticultural Research and Development Corporation. This Act applies to citrus growers, who are required to pay a levy to support the Corporation’s research and development activities in the horticultural industry. The rates specified in the Regulations are $1 per tonne for citrus in bulk and 2 cents per box for citrus not in bulk, effective from 1 October 1991. These levies are imposed under the Horticultural Levy Act 1987 and the Horticultural Export Charge Act 1987, with the rates being set by regulation in accordance with the Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Act 1991. The amendments to the levy rates were recommended by the Corporation and supported by the Australian Citrus Growers' Federation, as detailed in the explanatory statement. These Regulations extend the application of the principal Acts by prescribing the specific rates and manner of payment for the citrus industry.

Key Provisions

The Primary Industries Levies and Charges (Citrus) Regulations 1991, No. 276, detail the rates and manner of payment of levies and export charges by citrus growers, as mandated by the Horticultural Levy Act 1987 and the Horticultural Export Charge Act 1987. Specifically, Regulation 3 of the Regulations sets the new levy rates at $1 per tonne for citrus in bulk and 2 cents per box for citrus not in bulk. These rates, which took effect from 1 October 1991, represent an increase from the previous rates, aimed at bolstering the funding for the Horticultural Research and Development Corporation. The Corporation, which engages in joint industry/government funded research and development activities for Australian horticultural industries, benefits from these levies to support its initiatives. The Regulations impose specific obligations on citrus growers to ensure compliance with the new levy rates. These obligations include the timely payment of the increased levies as prescribed by the Regulations. Growers are required to adhere to the stipulated rates for both bulk and non-bulk citrus, as outlined in Regulation 3. Failure to comply with these payment requirements could potentially disrupt the funding flow to the Corporation, impacting its ability to carry out research and development activities effectively. Breaches of the provisions set forth in the Regulations may result in legal consequences for the parties involved. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the provided text, it is understood that such breaches could lead to enforcement actions by the relevant authorities. Typically, under the Horticultural Levy Act 1987 and the Horticultural Export Charge Act 1987, non-compliance could result in fines or other penalties as determined by the courts. It is imperative for citrus growers to comply with the new levy rates to avoid any potential legal repercussions and to support the Corporation's research and development objectives.