Levies and charges are taxes initiated by primary industries and imposed on the producers in that industry. The term ‘levies’ applies to taxes imposed on domestic products. The term ‘charge’ applies to taxes imposed on imported and exported products.
Agricultural levies and export charges are imposed on Australian producers and exporters to fund activities which deliver benefits to an entire industry. Statutory levy funding is used for several purposes including Research, Development and Extension (RD&E), Marketing, biosecurity management and emergency response and preparedness.
The Dairy Cattle Export Charge.
The Dairy Cattle Export Charge is a new charge.
The Dairy Cattle Export Charge will be implemented by amending the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Act 1999 to introduce a provision specifically for dairy cattle; i.e. the Dairy Cattle Export Charge.
The Dairy Cattle Export Charge is $6 per head.
Dairy cattle exporters.
Under the Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Act 1991, the person who owns the cattle or livestock at the time of export from Australia is liable to pay the export charge and submit return forms to the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources. As such, under the proposed application of the Dairy Cattle Export Charge, livestock exporters are required to pay the $6 per head charge.
The Dairy Cattle Export Charge will be collected in line with other livestock export charges, that is, exporters are required to ‘self-assess’ their liability and make a corresponding payment. Payments are made monthly and due 28 days after the end of the month that an export shipment occurred.
The charge will be paid to LiveCorp, prescribed under the Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry Regulations (1998) as the levy recipient body for Australia’s livestock export industry.
LiveCorp is a not-for-profit industry body, established in 1998 as part of the restructuring of Australia’s meat and livestock industry, owned and funded through contributions by Australian Government licensed livestock exporters. It is primarily funded by statutory export charges payable on beef cattle, buffalo, sheep and goats, as well as a voluntary export charge received for dairy cattle. Under the Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry Act (1997), LiveCorp receives Australian Government matched funds, subject to the prescribed cap for eligible R&D expenditure, which is set at 0.5 per cent of the gross value of production of the industry.
The LiveCorp Strategic Plan 2016-2020 will provide the basis for operational planning, with dairy cattle export charge revenue being directed towards LiveCorp’s five key strategic objectives:
1. Improve animal health and welfare outcomes throughout the supply chain
2. Improve supply chain efficiency and regulatory performance
3. Enhance market access conditions – for existing and new markets
4. Enhance communication – providing information and services on program progress and issues to industry and government
5. Improve corporate operations – governance, planning, evaluation and review to ensure efficient and effective investment.
ALEC is conducting a three month stakeholder consultation period from 26 May to 13 October 2017. During this time, ALEC is completing a range of direct and indirect consultation activities with interested stakeholders.
Yes.
Following the stakeholder consultation period, Australian Government licensed livestock exporters will be invited to participate in an industry ballot to vote on the establishment of the proposed $6 per head statutory R&D Dairy Cattle Export Charge.
Eligible voters can register online at; http://auslivestockexport.com/eligible-voter-registration/
Or by contacting ALEC.
The Levy Principles and Guidelines were developed to help industry bodies prepare a sound case for the introduction of a levy or charge or a change to an existing levy or charge, to be considered by industry members. The principles and guidelines require industry bodies to inform all potential and existing payers about the proposal and to provide an opportunity for all prospective and existing levy payers and other interested parties to express their views.
If you require additional information on the proposed Dairy Cattle Export Charge, please contact ALEC on 02 6269 5690 or via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.