Changes in venison and velvet levies
The DIAA are in the process of reducing the Velvet and Venison levies to producers. The DIAA supports a reduction in the venison and velvet levy as follows and the actual numbers for the proposed levy rate changes are:

The Deer Slaughter Levy to be reduced from 10.5 cents/kg to 8.0 cents/kg.
The Deer Export Charge to be reduced fro $7.50 to $5 per animal.
The Deer velvet Levy to be reduced fro 3.5% to 2% sale value.
The Deer velvet Export Charge be reduced from 3.5% to 2% sale value.

NB. That within the Deer Slaughter Levy the NRS component will probably be increased to 5cents/kg.”

Venison and Velvet Levies
In June 2005, the DIAA reviewed the industry levy rates and wrote to the minister requesting a reduction in the rates. The DIAA were advised that prior to accepting the submission the industry had to show support for the reduction. At the last AGM, held in April 2006, the motion that requested a reduction in levies was passed without dissent. Subsequent to this, the DIAA wrote to the Hon Sussan Ley MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to request the change and seeking to be relieved of the need to hold a ballot of ALL levy payers.

Below is a copy of the relevant sections of the reply from the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry the Hon. Sussan Ley. Please note that it requires that levy payers demonstrate that their industry is in favour of the reduction in order to enable enactment by next April.

“Thank you for your letter of 23 October 2006 on behalf of the Deer Industry Association of Australia (DIAA) proposing changes to deer industry levy rates.

A formal submission which complies with the Levy Principles and Guidelines is required by the Australian Government. The submission should be made on the summary proforma for the determination of statutory primary industry levies as provided at www.daff.gov.au/levies.

Your request to waive the ballot of all levy-payers normally required for levy changes is likely to be accepted. However, a final decision on this will be deferred until a full levy change submission is received. In particular, your submission must clearly establish the case for reducing the research and development (R&D) levies for the proposed three year period, and provide further evidence that industry was adequately consulted, preferably including:

Publication of proposed levy reduction rates in industry newsletters with an invitation for comment within a reasonable timeframe (at least one month);
A copy of the relevant sections of the minutes of the AGM, indicating voting results for the proposed levy changes, and
Other written evidence from DIAA Board members, the members of the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Deer Advisory Committee, or other relevant levy payer representatives that show wide agreement to the proposed new levy rates and temporary reduction period of three years for the R&D levies.

RIRDC is being consulted about the likely effect the proposed levy reductions will have on the Deer R&D Programme. However, it would be useful if advice was provided on what impact the DIAA considers the proposed levy changes will have on R&D in the short term, and through the five-year strategic plan, and how this process will be managed in consultation with RIRDC.

In terms of the proposed change in the National Residue Survey (NRS) levy, the increase must be in place by 1 April 2007 to maintain adequate NRS funds to enable the continuation of a residue monitoring program necessary for access to EU markets.

It is ideal if the R&D and NRS levy changes are addressed simultaneously. However, it is also important that the DIAA carefully considers the timing and implications for the NRS levy increase. There may not be enough time to demonstrate the case and obtain wide approval for the R&D levy in the same timeframe.”

The board can comply with the letters request for backup information but the industry needs comments from farmers on the levy reductions. To meet our deadline, we need comments sent to Solange Shapiro by 1st of Feb 2007. (Solange Shapiro, P.O Box 37. Hamilton Hwy. Lismore. 3324. Ph.: (03) 5596 2323. Fax.: (03) 5596 2313.
email: shapiro@tca-online.com.au)

The DIAA has already discussed the implications of the reduction with RIRDC and they are presently reviewing the effects on their five year plan, so that area should not be a hold up. The time line is pretty tight but, with your assistance we should get the levy reductions in place next year.

2006 Conference Proceedings Disc
If you would like to purchase a copy of the Proceedings of the "2006 Fourth World Deer Conference" they are now available on a CD.
The cost will be $22 plus $5 Postage & Handling
A total of $27

Please send your cheque to:
DIAA Secretariat
Solange Shapiro
P.O.Box 37
Hamilton HWY
Lismore. 3324

or for more prompt service contact Solange on (03) 5596 2323

DART GUN
Dr Andrew Jacotine
Based In Mansfield. Have an interest in deer esp darting.
Licensed and experienced with dart gun.
Licensed to use fentazine.
Available for capture and health management procedures.
Contact on 03 57751620 Fax 03 57751482 0429 384 371

Johne's Disease - PhD opportunity
PhD opportunity in a combined Deer Research Group/EpiCentre, Massey
University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

This is a project on the epidemiology of Johne's Disease, with particular
focus on validation of deer herd status strategies, intervention studies to
assist deer farmers to reduce the impact of disease, and apsects of the
epidemiology of the disease on mixed-species farms. The project will run
in parallel with a current PhD project into other apsects of deer Johne's
disease epidemiology and control.

The candidate will join the EpiCentre in liaison with the Deer Research
Group which currently has one master and 5 PhD students, and will develop
epidemiological skills in the EpiCentre with 10 PhD and 28 master students,
along with a range of science skills related to animal health and disease
control and management.

The candidate should have a suitable veterinary degree and basic
epidemiologic experience. Acceptance for enrolment is based on proven
language English skills and an evaluation of the previous experience record.

More information about the Massey University Deer Research Group can be
found on the following web sites: http://ivabs.massey.ac.nz/centres/deer/
and http://epicentre.massey.ac.nz

For information on studies at Massey, please contact Allain Scott
A.A.Scott@massey.ac.nz

For further inquiries, please contact:
Professor Peter Wilson,
Deer Health and Production, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical
Sciences (IVABS), , Massey University, PB 11222, 4442 Palmerston North, New
Zealand; Ph. 0064 6 35 69099 ext. 7619, Fax. 0064 6 3505616;ext 7619,
e-mail P.R.Wilson@massey.ac.nz;
or
Assoc. Professor Cord Heuer,
EpiCentre, IVABS, Massey University
Priv Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand, ph +64 6 3505948, fax
+64 6 3505716, Email: c.heuer@massey.ac.nz

Latest Deer Indusry R&D Newsletter (April 2006)
Published by Rural Industry R&D Corporation - click here for newsletter

Need Financial help to expland youir business?
Maybe the Food Processing in Regional Australia Program (FPRAP) which is organised by the DAFF can help.

Venison Comparator
Peter Kennedy's new "Venison Comparator" - compare various venison vendors to help you make decide which one should sell your stock. (Need Microsoft Excel).

Code of Practice - The Farming of Deer
The DIAA has recently updated and amended the existing code for presentation to Animal Health Australia. The Code will be displayed on the website when Animal Health Australia have had their input.

FEEDBACK
If you have any contributions , contact the Webmaster.