THE Federal Government has released greater detail on the proposed contribution of agricultural industry sectors under its biosecurity protection levy proposal.

Palgrove has sold Gilgal Station with some cattle and sheep to its new European. Photo: LAWD

Click here for details of how much your industry sector might expect to pay if the levy comes into force on 1 July this year as proposed.

The release of the proposed industry sector contributions based on the proportional share of total Gross Value of Production (GVP) yesterday shows the beef sector would make a $9.3 million contribution, followed by sheep meat about $3m, wool $1.8m, and goat meat and fibre about $1m.

The grains sector would be contributing about $12.2m and fodder $1.5m, to a total BPL pool of $51.8m.

The Federal Government also today published an Imported Food Notice (IFN) 03-24 advising stakeholders of its 2024-25 Biosecurity Cost Recovery Implementation Statement and pricing tables on DAFF’s ‘Have Your Say’, platform.

The release of the data comes before the first public hearing on 23 April of a Rural and Regional Affairs Transport and Legislation Committee inquiry into associated legislation proposed by the government.

The RRAT inquiry into the Agriculture (Biosecurity Protection) Levies Bill 2024 [Provisions] and related bills will hold a public hearing on Tuesday 23 April in Committee Room 2S1 of Parliament House in Canberra.

On 21 March 2024, the Senate referred the Agriculture (Biosecurity Protection) Levies Bill 2024 [Provisions], the Agriculture (Biosecurity Protection) Charges Bill 2024 [Provisions] and the Agriculture (Biosecurity Protection) Levies and Charges Collection Bill 2024 [Provisions] to the RRAYT Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 10 May 2024. The inquiry received 55 submissions up to 10 April 2024.

After limited consultation, the government decided the rate of the proposed BPL will no longer be set equivalent to 10 percent of 2020-21 agricultural levy rates (as originally announced in Budget 2023-24). Instead, rates will be based on each industry’s proportionate share of the total gross value of production (GVP) for the total agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector. However, the revised contribution model is still generally opposed by the agricultural sector.

Further information about the consultation and design are available on the department’s website at: www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-funding

The Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry said yesterday it is continuing to engage with industry on intended imposition and collection arrangements, and will be contacting industry representative bodies with proposed BPL rates over the coming weeks.