Deer Industry Reform Progressing

7/23/1999

Moves to reform the Game Industry Board progressed another step this week as representatives of the Board met with Ministers responsible for primary industry board deregulation to discuss the industry’s reform proposals.

A recent poll of all known deer farmers and venison and velvet processors/exporters was the basis for the Game Industry Board’s reform proposal to the Ministers.

"The poll results represent an exceptionally strong mandate for the Game Industry Board’s role in assisting with the development of the industry. It also supports industry partnership as the best way to take the industry forward." said Board Chairman Clive Jermy. "Of the producers who voted, 93% were in favour of maintaining an industry organisation, and 82% supported a compulsory levy to fund the organisation. There was between 80% and 96% support for the range of industry-good activities proposed to be carried out."

Support from processor/exporters was similar, with 90% in favour of maintaining an industry organisation and 76% in favour of a compulsory levy. Other important poll results indicate:

• support from 92% of responding farmers and 94% of responding processors/exporters for equal representation at Board level by producers and processors/exporters

• support from 93% of responding farmers and 52% of responding processors/exporters for equal payment of levy by producers and processors/exporters.

"This provides a clear signal as to what the industry wants for the future." said Mr Jermy.

"Our challenge now is to work with the government to develop new levy legislation and new structures which can achieve industry objectives. The Board has also noted to the Government that the interests of all affected parties must be protected. "

While it is unclear whether legislation deregulating primary industry boards will be enacted before the election, Mr Jermy indicated the Game Industry Board was considering whether industry reforms could be put in place before full deregulation.

"We have already requested the Ministers to change our existing Regulations by Order in Council to reflect the desires of our industry as expressed in our industry poll. This would see the Game Industry Board Regulations change to allow a 50/50 Board between producers and processor/exporters and a 50/50 levy paid equally by producers and processor/exporters. There would also be changes made to ensure greater transparency and accountability and increased stakeholder input"

Approximately 40% of all farmers, representing 56% of all farmed deer, participated in the deer industry poll. The processor/exporter vote represented 63% of deer processed and 47% of velvet processed.