STATUTORY RULES
1966 No. 13
REGULATIONS UNDER THE QUARANTINE ACT 1908-1961.*
THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Quarantine Act 1908-1961.
Dated this 26th day of January, 1966.
CASEY
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
(Signed) R.W. Swantz
Minister of State for Health.
Amendment of the Quarantine (Plants) Regulations†
Commencement.
1. These Regulations shall come into operation on the fourteenth day of February, 1966.
Second Schedule.
2. The Second Schedule to the Quarantine (Plants) Regulations is repealed and the following Schedule inserted in its stead:—
SECOND SCHEDULE
Regulation 6.
Fees for Inspection or Examination of Plants and Goods
Item No. | Plants or goods in respect of which fee payable | Fee |
| | Cents |
1 | Plants, and parts of plants, for planting or sowing— | |
| (a) Vegetable, flower, tree, cereal, legume or pasture seeds or other seeds for agricultural or horticultural purposes— | |
| For each cental, or part of a cental, not exceeding 6 centals............. | 10 |
| For each cental, or part of a cental, exceeding 6 centals but not exceeding 50 centals | 5 |
| For each cental, or part of a cental, exceeding 50 centals.............. | 1 |
| (b) Bulbs, corms, rhizomes or tubers— | |
| For each 100 bulbs, corms, rhizomes or tubers, or part of 100 bulbs, corms, rhizomes or tubers | 5 |
| (c) Plants (including vegetative portions of plants)— | |
| (i) Inspection or examination on importation— | |
| For the first 25 plants, or part of 25 plants.................... | 10 |
| For each 25 plants, or part of 25 plants, by which the number of plants exceeds 25 but does not exceed 300 | 2 |
| For each 25 plants, or part of 25 plants, by which the number of plants exceeds 300 | 2 |
| (ii) Inspection or examination after importation— | |
| For each half of an hour, or part of half of an hour, occupied in the inspection or examination | 50 |
* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 3 February, 1966.
† Statutory Rules 1939, No. 91, as amended to date. For previous amendments of the Quarantine (Plants) Regulations see footnote † to Statutory Rules 1965, No. 82, and see also Statutory Rules 1965, No. 82.
8480/65.—Price 6d. (5c) 9/12.8.1965.
Second Schedule—continued
Fees for Inspection or Examination of Plants and Goods—continued
Item No. | Plants or goods in respect of which fee payable | Fee |
| | Cents |
2 | Plants (including parts of plants), other than plants or parts of plants to which the last preceding item applies, for use as foodstuffs or drugs or in, or for, manufacturing or industrial processing— | |
| | |
| For each cental, or part of a cental, by which the weight does not exceed 20 centals | 1 |
| For each 10 centals, or part of 10 centals, by which the weight exceeds 20 centals | 2 |
| (b) Plants other than coconuts— | |
| For each cental, or part of a cental, by which the weight does not exceed 100 centals | 5 |
| For each cental, or part of a cental, by which the weight exceeds 100 centals but does not exceed 500 centals | 1 |
| For each 10 centals, or part of 10 centals, by which the weight exceeds 500 centals | 1 |
3 | Hay— | |
| For each ton, or part of a ton, by which the weight does not exceed 100 tons | 30 |
| For each ton, or part of a ton, by which the weight exceeds 100 tons.......... | 10 |
4 | Furniture and other household goods and effects, and prefabricated buildings— | |
| For each piece or bundle...................................... | 2 |
5 | Outside cases, crates or containers, made wholly or partly of wood, bamboo, cane or similar material, the contents of which are not subject to inspection— | |
| For each case, crate, chest or other container......................... | 1 |
6 | Bamboo, rattan, wicker, cane and similar plants or goods— | |
| If not made up into goods—For each 10 bundles or part of 10 bundles........ | 2 |
| If made up into goods—For each package........................... | 5 |
7 | Timber— | |
| (a) Sawn, wholly or partly dressed, shaped, cut to size, wholly or partly made up, or prepared in any way or cut to size undressed— | |
| For each case, crate, bundle or package containing— | |
| Not more than 100 pieces............................... | 2 |
| More than 100 but not more than 200 pieces................... | 3 |
| More than 200 but not more than 300 pieces................... | 4 |
| More than 300 pieces.................................. | 5 |
| If not in cases, crates, bundles or packages— | |
| For each 1,000 super. feet............................... | 5 |
| | |
| For each 100 packages.................................... | 10 |
8 | Rough sawn timber (including dunnage)— | |
| For each 1,000 super. feet or part of 1,000 super. feet.................... | 10 |
9 | Logs, spars in the rough and rough sawn timber exceeding 180 square inches cross section— | |
| For each log, spar or piece..................................... | 10 |
10 | Plants and goods for which a fee is not elsewhere prescribed in this Schedule— | |
| For each half of an hour or part of half of an hour, occupied in the inspection or examination | 50 |
By Authority: A. J. Arthur, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra
Overview
The Quarantine (Plants) Regulations 1966 were introduced under the Quarantine Act 1908-1961 by the Governor-General in accordance with the advice of the Federal Executive Council. These regulations were designed to replace the existing provisions concerning the fees for inspection and examination of plants and goods, providing a comprehensive framework for the assessment of various plant materials and goods entering Australia. This was done to ensure the protection of Australia's agriculture and environment from potential risks posed by invasive species and pests. The policy objective of these regulations is to facilitate the effective enforcement of quarantine measures by setting specific fees for the inspection and examination of plants and goods, thus ensuring that imported items are subject to appropriate scrutiny to prevent the introduction of harmful organisms.
These regulations were enacted to address the need for a structured and updated system of fees for the inspection and examination of plants and goods entering Australia. The detailed fee structure outlined in the Second Schedule provides clarity and consistency in the application of charges for various types of plants and goods, which in turn supports the enforcement of quarantine laws and helps to maintain the integrity of Australia's biosecurity measures. The introduction of these regulations was a necessary step in modernising and strengthening Australia's approach to plant quarantine, thereby safeguarding the nation's agricultural and environmental sectors.
Scope and Application
The Quarantine (Plants) Regulations, made under the Quarantine Act 1908-1961, set out the fees for the inspection or examination of various plants and goods entering Australia. These regulations apply to entities involved in the importation of plants and goods, including seeds, bulbs, plants for planting, and those used for foodstuffs, drugs, or industrial processing. The fees vary based on the type and quantity of the plants or goods, as detailed in the Second Schedule. The regulations have a national reach, applying across all states and territories of Australia. The fees are designed to cover the costs associated with the inspection and examination processes, which are essential for preventing the introduction of pests and diseases into the country. These regulations do not explicitly provide for exclusions or exemptions, but the fees are structured to account for different types and quantities of plants and goods, ensuring a tailored approach to the inspection process. Any amendments or further details are likely to be addressed through additional subordinate instruments, which may provide clarification or adjustments to the fees and processes outlined in these regulations.
Key Provisions
The operative sections of these Regulations, detailed in the Second Schedule, lay out the fees applicable for the inspection or examination of various plants and goods upon importation into Australia. For instance, under Regulation 6, fees are specified for different types of plants and goods based on their intended use or form. This includes seeds, bulbs, tubers, plants for planting or sowing, and those intended for foodstuffs, drugs, manufacturing, or industrial processing. The fees vary depending on the quantity or weight of the items being inspected or examined, and whether the inspection occurs at the time of importation or afterward. The fees range from 1 cent to 50 cents per unit or weight, with specific rates provided for each category of plants or goods.
These Regulations impose clear obligations on importers, exporters, and other parties involved in the importation of plants and goods into Australia. Importers must ensure that they are aware of and comply with the specified fees for inspections or examinations as outlined in the Second Schedule. This includes paying the appropriate fee for each type and quantity of plant or good being imported. The fees are designed to cover the costs associated with the inspection and examination processes, ensuring that these activities are conducted efficiently and effectively to maintain quarantine standards and protect against the introduction of pests or diseases.
Breaches of these Regulations, including the failure to pay the prescribed fees for inspections or examinations, can lead to civil or criminal consequences. Although specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the text provided, it is reasonable to infer that non-compliance with the fee requirements could result in fines, legal action, or other penalties as determined by the relevant authorities. The imposition of such penalties is intended to enforce compliance with the Regulations and uphold the integrity of the quarantine system.
In summary, these Regulations establish a structured fee system for the inspection and examination of plants and goods entering Australia. They place an obligation on relevant parties to adhere to the specified fees and ensure that inspections are conducted as required. Non-compliance with these Regulations can lead to civil or criminal penalties, although the exact nature of these consequences is not detailed in the provided text.