Red Meat Advisory Council Ltd Chairman, Ian McIvor AM, has welcomed Minister Burke’s announcement regarding the Federal Government’s intention to modernise the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Services’ (AQIS) delivery of export inspection as a quid pro quo to the implementation of full cost recovery.
Under the existing model, the Federal Government charges around $80m per year for export meat and livestock inspection.
“The Government’s move from 60% to 100% cost recovery from 1 July 2009 would have increased industry’s cost for the service by one third to over $110m. However, from the Minister’s announcement it would seem much of this increase will be offset by dramatic and ongoing improvements in AQIS’ operational efficiency, and this is welcome”, Mr McIvor said.
“For several years the exporting sector of our industry has been in regular dialogue with AQIS as part of its pursuit of greater efficiencies within the export inspection service provided by AQIS.
“In most cases the countries importing Australian meat and livestock require Government involvement in facilitating their trading protocols. This has made it difficult for AQIS and industry to agree on measures that might otherwise be commercially appropriate.
“It’s also the reason industry believes Government has an obligation to provide funding, as happens in most other countries”, said Mr McIvor.
The Federal Government’s full-cost-recovery response to a recommendation from the recent Beale Inquiry into Australia’s bio-security system has led to protests from exporters who must use the service.
“It is very pleasing that a satisfactory arrangement has now been found for maintaining our export integrity, driving efficiency and delivering to industry many of the reforms it has been seeking for some years.
“As full payers of the service, we look forward to continuing our dialogue with the Minister and AQIS staff in moving to total implementation of efficiency gains as soon as possible.
“For every month this is delayed beyond 1 July this year, the industry will suffer a trade disadvantage against our primary competitors”, Mr McIvor concluded.
For information:
Ian McIvor, AM, Chairman
0409 455 969
02 6366 3197
Steve Martyn (for meat exporters)
0409 287 601
02 9086 2241
Lach MacKinnon (for livestock exporters)
0488 911 180
02 6273 0377
* Red Meat Advisory Council Ltd is the peak advisory body for the red-meat and livestock industry and has as its members Australian Meat Industry Council, Cattle Council of Australia, Sheepmeat Council of Australia, Australian Lot Feeders’ Association and Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council
