March 31, 2009
Australia's meat sector opposes export inspection charges
Meat exporters in Australia are calling for a suspension on the government's plan to increase inspection charges from July 1.
Exporters will have to pay the full cost of inspections which will limit shipments, the meat exporters said.
Exporters are experiencing a difficult trading environment and the changes will cost jobs, according to the Australian Meat Industry Council CEO Steve Martin, who added that the extra costs on producers will wear down businesses through reduced input or reduced staff.
The increased charges will hurt the agricultural industries that export overseas e.g. fish, dairy, grains, Martin said.
Food exporters are currently charged 60 percent of the inspection costs, with the commonwealth funding the rest.
The tax will place a A$40 million (US$27.4 million) burden on all industry including agriculture, and of that meat exporters would have to pay A$32 million (US$22 million), according to the meat industry.
