Commonwealth Numbered Regulations - Explanatory Statements

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DRIED FRUITS LEVY REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT) 1995 NO. 72

STATUTORY RULES 1995 No. 72

Issued by the Authority of the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy

Dried Fruits Levy Act 1971

Dried Fruits Levy Regulations (Amendment)

section 8 of the Dried Fruits Levy Act 1971 (the Levy Act) provides that the Governor-General may make regulations for the purposes of section 6 of the Levy Act.

Research and Development (R&D) activities for the dried fruits industry are administered at the national level by the Dried Fruits Research and Development Council (the Council) which is established under the Primary Industries and Energy Research and Development Act 1989. The Council administers separate programs for the dried vine fruits industry (sultanas, raisins, currants), dried tree fruits industry (apricots, peaches, nectarines, pears) and the prune industry.

R&D projects approved by the Council are funded by industry levy contributions. Expenditure of this money on Council approved projects is matched by the Commonwealth Government on a dollar for dollar basis up to the value of 0.5% of the industry's gross value of production.

The industry levy contribution is raised under the Levy Act.

Subsection 6(1) of the Levy Act sets out the maximum levy rates which can apply to each specified kind of dried fruit. In this, regard, it provides that the rate of levy for dried vine fruits, shall not exceed $10.00 per tonne and the rate of levy for dried tree fruits shall not exceed $30.00 per tonne.

Subsection 6(2) of the Levy Act provides that the regulations may fix an amount per tonne as the levy rate for a specified kind of dried fruit subject to subsection 6(1).

Subsection 6(3) of the Levy Act provides that the GovernorGeneral, before making any regulations for the purposes of subsection 6(2), shall consider any relevant recommendation made by the Council to the Minister in relation to the levy rate.

The Council has recommended to the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy that. the rate of levy imposed on dried vine fruits be increased by $1.10, from $7.40 to $8.50 per tonne, and the rate of levy imposed on dried tree fruits be increased by $4.00, from $21.00 to $25.00 per tonne. The increased rate is to apply from the 1995 season onwards. The 1995 season levy is not due for payment until 30 November 1995.

The Australian Dried Fruits Association, which is the industry organisation representing dried vine fruits and dried tree fruits producers, has been consulted and supports the increased rates of levy for its constituents.

The Minister for Primary Industries and Energy has accepted the Council's recommendations as to the increase in the rate of levy imposed on dried vine fruits and dried tree fruits. Accordingly, the statutory rules set the rate of levy on dried vine fruits at $8.50 and the rate of levy on dried tree fruits at $25.00 per tonne.