Australian Pork Industry submits levy increase proposal to Government

03-01-2012 | Home | News

Australian pork producers are one step closer in their quest to obtain an increase in the pig slaughter levy. Late last year pork producers voted to endorse the proposal to increase the pig slaughter levy by 90 cents over three tranches.

Under the Federal Governments Levy Principles and Guidelines (LPG) Australian Pork Limited (APL), on behalf of levy paying producers, is required to submit a business case for a levy increase to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The levy increase proposal outlines the reasons for seeking the increase in the Marketing component of the Pig Slaughter Levy.

A copy of the levy increase proposal can be found on the APL website www.australianpork.com.au

With the submission of the levy increase proposal also comes the period of time in which formal objections can be submitted against the proposal. Any formal objections will be accepted by the Minister, Parliamentary Secretary or the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) within six weeksof the date of formal lodgement of the proposal, along with its supporting documentation.

The six week period allowing for objections to be submitted starts today from Tuesday 03 January, 2012 and closes at 5.00pm Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time (AEDST) on Tuesday 14 February, 2012.

For those wishing to lodge an objection you can do so to any one of the three listed contacts below:

• The Minister, Senator the Hon. Joe Ludwig, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, PO Box 6022, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT 2600 or email: joe.ludwig@maff.gov.au

• The Hon. Sid Sidebottom MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, PO Box 6022, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600 or email: sid.sidebottom.MP@aph.gov.au

• Mr Simon Murnane, Assistant Secretary, Livestock Industries and Animal Welfare Branch, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, GPO Box 858, Canberra ACT 2601 or email: simon.murnane@daff.gov.au

The objection should:

• clearly outline the reasons why the levy is opposed;

• include an analysis of the pro- levy argument; and

• include documentary evidence that actual and/ or potential levy payers oppose the implementation of the levy.

Objections having little basis in fact or which are considered irrelevant, frivolous or vexatious will not proceed.

For further information on lodging an opposing submission under the Levy Principles and Guidelines (LPG’s) please visit the DAFF website: www.daff.gov.au/agriculture-food/levies/publications.

Source: Australian Pork