The horse industry remains supportive of the current system to collect, when needed, the horse disease response levy.
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This was one of the findings contained in a consultation report on the Horse Disease Response Levy Collection just released by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.
The focus of this review was to explore whether a levy on manufactured feed and worm treatments is the most appropriate way of raising money to meet the costs of any emergency responses to a disease affecting horses.
The Horse Disease Response Levy Act 2011 and the Horse Disease Response Levy Collection Act 2011 were introduced in response to the horse industry becoming a signatory to the Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA).
However the review’s other main finding was the fact there was strong opposition to the current collection points from stakeholders responsible for collecting the levy.
In addition there is concern for potential inequities preventing even coverage of the levy and potential levy leakage.
A number of alternative collection points were proposed such as horse registration.
Head of the Department of Agriculture and Water Resource’s Biosecurity Policy and Implementation Division, Matt Koval, said the nil-rated levy is reviewed every five years to determine whether the current levy arrangements continue to be the most appropriate.
“Under the current arrangements, the levy would be placed on manufactured feed and worm treatments in the event of a disease affecting horses,” Mr Koval said.
“This agreement is there to give the horse industry confidence that the resources and finances will be available, should an emergency disease in horses reach our shores.
“Under the EADRA, the Commonwealth can step in and contribute industry’s share of the response upfront, with the costs then recovered through the horse disease response levy.
“Back in 2011, following extensive consultation on an equitable way of recovering costs, the horse industry decided the levy would be best applied to worm treatments and manufactured feed.
“This was considered to be the most equitable option available, providing the broadest coverage.
“The department is considering the report, and is in discussions with key industry stakeholders and working with industry on the findings of the review.
“A decision will be made about future arrangements following consideration of the review findings that were identified during the consultation.” The horse levy review position paper and more information is available at agriculture.gov.au/horselevyreview.