TL;DR:
- Cattle Australia welcomes government adjustments to the Biosecurity Protection Levy.
- CA emphasises the need for equitable cost distribution and effective implementation.
- The organisation advocates for transparent investment in biosecurity to enhance the system’s strength.
Cattle Australia (CA) has welcomed the government’s recent adjustments to the Biosecurity Protection Levy (BPL), viewing them as a positive development. Announced during Senate Estimates, these changes reflect the government’s response to the concerns raised by grass-fed cattle producers and the wider agricultural community.
Dr Chris Parker, CEO of CA, expressed satisfaction with Agriculture Minister Murray Watt’s openness to industry feedback. “It’s encouraging to see our concerns taken seriously, and we’re particularly grateful for the opportunity to engage directly in the levy’s refinement process,” he stated.
The primary critique from CA has been the BPL’s failure to evenly distribute biosecurity costs across all economic sectors. Dr. Parker emphasised the need for a comprehensive analysis to identify the beneficiaries and contributors to biosecurity risks, aiming for a fair and balanced policy.
“Ensuring equitable cost-sharing and effective implementation is crucial. Without it, the BPL risks becoming an additional financial burden on the grass-fed cattle sector, which plays a vital role in our national economy,” Dr. Parker added.
CA is committed to enhancing biosecurity funding and is eager to collaborate with the government to ensure that the investments yield significant benefits for industry and the Australian public. Dr. Parker highlighted the importance of the levy leading to tangible improvements in biosecurity measures over the coming decade.
He also urged the government to consider current expenditures when setting the levy rate, to guarantee fairness across industries. “Our proposal aims for a transparent and accountable fund collection, ensuring it strengthens our biosecurity framework,” Dr. Parker concluded.
