THE Department of Agriculture is seeking feedback on Australia’s agricultural export legislation with a particular focus on wood and woodchip.
The changes seek to make the laws more relevant, responsive and efficient.
Submissions are open until 8 May 2020.
A review of agricultural export legislation was conducted in 2015.
During the review there was:
- analysis of existing legislation
- the release of a discussion paper
- A call for public submissions
- Stakeholder workshops in all states and territories.
Based on the review, the government decided to improve agricultural export legislation.
The Export Control Act 2020 received Royal Assent on 6 March 2020. This created a new platform for our regulation of agricultural exports. The Act consolidates export certificate provisions that are currently scattered through about 20 Acts and 40 pieces of subordinate legislation.
The new legislation is:
- modern and easier to understand
- supports the goal of a $100 billion agriculture industry by 2030
- provides a solid base for our farmers to capitalise on export opportunities.
The new export legislation framework is to start shortly before 1 April 2021.
“We will continue to collaborate with stakeholders as we draft the export control rules,” a Department of Agriculture spokesperson said. “There will be a further opportunity to comment on the draft wood rules before they are finalised and come into effect.”
