Cutting Red Tape on Ag Exports

New draft legislation will simplify agricultural export rules to benefit exporters in new and emerging industries.

Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the Coalition Government was making the regulations easier to follow, cutting red tape to improve trade, creating more efficient export procedures, and limiting the costs of business to ensure agricultural goods aren’t delayed for export. This draft legislation comes after a review was undertaken by the Coalition Government that showed the current system needs to be modernised.

“Currently our agricultural exports are overseen by 17 separate Acts and more than 40 legislative instruments,” Mr Pasin said.

“The new export legislation will consolidate the existing web of regulation into a single Export Control Bill and supporting delegated legislation.

“This nation’s economy was built on the back of Agricultural exports which are relevant today as ever with the sector accounting for around $48 billion worth of exports per year.

“The Coalition Government aims to increase our overseas networks and reducing technical barriers to trade. In achieving this we will help Agri-businesses expand, creating more jobs and growing the local economy,” said Mr Pasin.

Consultation on the exposure draft is currently open, and closes on October 24.

New legislation will be implemented around April 2020, when much of the existing framework is due to expire.

For more information visit www.agriculture.gov.au/export-legislation.