Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection (Deer and Deer Velvet) Regulations (Amendment) 1995 No. 309
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1995 No. 309
Issued by Authority of the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy
Deer Slaughter Levy Act 1992
Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection (Deer and Deer Velvet) Regulations (Amendment)
Section 9 of the Deer Slaughter Levy Act 1992 (the Act) provides that the Governor-General may make regulations, prescribing matters required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed.
The purpose of the regulations is to decrease the operative rate of levy for deer slaughter under paragraph 7 (4) (b) of the Act from 18 cents per kilogram of slaughtered deer to 15.5 cents per kilogram of slaughtered deer. The deer slaughter levy is used for research and development purposes. The Deer Farmer's Federation of Australia has sought this reduction so that 2.5 cents per kilogram of slaughtered deer can be used to fund the full cost of a chemical residue monitoring program.
Access to certain markets requires participation in an official national chemical residue monitoring program, as is the case for meat products into export markets. Regulations covering the 2.5 cents per kilogram of slaughtered deer for the purposes of the National Residue Survey are the subject of a separate submission.
This rate of levy is effective from the date of gazettal, and is consistent with the wishes of the Deer Farmer's Federation of Australia, the recognised representative industry organisation, in accordance with its current commitment to the National Residue Survey.
Overview
The Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection (Deer and Deer Velvet) Regulations (Amendment) 1995 No. 309, issued by the authority of the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy, was enacted to amend the Deer Slaughter Levy Act 1992. This amendment responds to a specific industry request to adjust the levy rate for deer slaughter, which is used to fund research and development activities. The key change is a reduction in the operative rate of the levy from 18 cents per kilogram of slaughtered deer to 15.5 cents per kilogram, a move prompted by the Deer Farmer's Federation of Australia. The reduction is intended to allow 2.5 cents per kilogram to be allocated towards funding a chemical residue monitoring program, which is necessary for accessing certain markets, including those for meat products exported overseas. This adjustment aligns with the industry's commitment to the National Residue Survey and ensures compliance with market access requirements.
Scope and Application
The Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection (Deer and Deer Velvet) Regulations (Amendment) 1995 No. 309, under the Deer Slaughter Levy Act 1992, pertains to entities involved in the deer farming industry within Australia, specifically targeting those engaged in the slaughter of deer and the collection of deer velvet. These regulations apply nationally, encompassing all states and territories within the Commonwealth of Australia. The principal aim of the amendments is to adjust the levy rate for deer slaughter, reducing it from 18 cents per kilogram of slaughtered deer to 15.5 cents per kilogram. This adjustment is intended to fund a chemical residue monitoring program, which is necessary for market access, particularly for export markets that require compliance with national residue monitoring standards. The reduction in the levy rate is consistent with the requirements of the National Residue Survey and aligns with the objectives of the Deer Farmer's Federation of Australia, the recognised representative industry organisation for this sector. The changes are effective from the date of gazettal and are intended to ensure that the industry remains compliant with national and international standards for chemical residues in meat products.
Key Provisions
The Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection (Deer and Deer Velvet) Regulations (Amendment) 1995 No. 309 under the Deer Slaughter Levy Act 1992 primarily amend the rate of levy for deer slaughter as stipulated in section 9 of the Act. The amendment reduces the levy from 18 cents per kilogram of slaughtered deer to 15.5 cents per kilogram. This reduction is intended to support the funding of a chemical residue monitoring program, which is crucial for accessing certain markets, particularly export markets for meat products. The reduced levy rate is effective from the date of gazettal and aligns with the objectives of the Deer Farmer's Federation of Australia, which is recognised as the representative industry organisation.
The regulations impose specific obligations on the parties governed by the Act. Primarily, the amendment requires the levy to be adjusted to the new rate of 15.5 cents per kilogram of slaughtered deer. This adjustment is necessary to fund the chemical residue monitoring program, which is integral to meeting the standards for market access, particularly for export markets. The obligation extends to ensuring that the levy collected is used for the specified purpose of supporting the National Residue Survey. This ensures that the financial resources derived from the levy are directed towards the intended objective of enhancing market access for deer meat products.
Breaches of the regulations may result in various consequences. Although the specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for non-compliance are not detailed in the explanatory statement, it is implied that failure to adhere to the prescribed levy rates and purposes could lead to legal repercussions. The penalties for such breaches would likely be determined in accordance with the overarching provisions of the Deer Slaughter Levy Act 1992. These could include fines, legal action, or other administrative penalties as deemed appropriate by the relevant authorities. The aim is to ensure that the levy system operates effectively to support the intended research and development activities, as well as market access requirements.