Rice Levy Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Rice Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1994 No. 186 was introduced to amend the Rice Levy Regulations under the Rice Levy Act 1991. This Act, enacted in 1991, was designed to impose a levy on specific rice varieties, with the funds collected, combined with matching Commonwealth contributions, being allocated towards research beneficial to the rice industry. The policy objective is to ensure that the research and development efforts are targeted and adequately financed, thereby supporting the growth and sustainability of the rice sector. The Rice Marketing Board of New South Wales recommended the inclusion of additional rice varieties under the levy, leading to these amendments to better encompass the scope of the rice industry within the state. The regulations were authorised by the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy and came into effect upon gazette publication.

Scope and Application

The Rice Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1994 No. 186 amends the Rice Levy Regulations to incorporate additional rice varieties subject to the levy as prescribed under the Rice Levy Act 1991. This Act applies to leviable rice varieties and the entities involved in their production and marketing, specifically within the states where these varieties are harvested. The levy is imposed to fund research beneficial to the rice industry, with the collected funds supplemented by matching Commonwealth contributions. The Rice Marketing Board for the State of New South Wales has recommended additional rice varieties to be added to the list of leviable rice, which has been implemented through these amending regulations. These regulations have effect from the date of their gazettal and are subject to the provisions of the Rice Levy Act 1991 and the Primary Industries and Energy Research and Development Act 1989. The amendments do not alter the scope or application of the original Act but rather refine the categories of rice subject to the levy.

Key Provisions

The Rice Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1994 No. 186, issued under the authority of the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy, amends the Rice Levy Regulations to include additional rice varieties subject to the levy. Section 3 of the Rice Levy Act 1991 specifies that leviable rice varieties must be prescribed by regulations, and Section 6 mandates that the rate of levy for a rice variety must be recommended by the State marketing authority in the state where the variety is harvested. Regulation 1 formally amends the existing Rice Levy Regulations, and Regulation 2 provides a list of additional rice varieties to be added to Regulation 3, in line with Section 3 of the Act. These amendments were made in response to a recommendation from the Rice Marketing Board for the State of New South Wales. The Rice Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1994 No. 186 imposes specific obligations on the parties involved. The Rice Marketing Board must recommend additional rice varieties to be included in the levy, as per Regulation 2. The Minister for Primary Industries and Energy is responsible for issuing the amending regulations under Regulation 1. These amendments ensure that the prescribed rice varieties subject to the levy are updated and comprehensive, aligning with the legislative framework established by the Rice Levy Act 1991. The Rice Levy Act 1991 and the accompanying Rice Levy Regulations (Amendment) 1994 No. 186 do not explicitly outline offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance within the provided text. However, failure to comply with the prescribed regulations and recommendations for levy imposition could potentially result in legal actions under the primary legislation or administrative penalties imposed by the relevant authorities. It is advisable for entities involved in the rice industry to adhere strictly to the prescribed procedures to avoid any legal ramifications or disruptions to the rice research scheme.