Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Sterle, I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 25 June 2014:

The implications of the restriction on the use of Fenthion on Australia's horticultural industry, including:

(a) the roles and responsibilities of relevant departments and agencies of Commonwealth, state and territory governments in relation to the regulation of pesticides and veterinary chemicals;

(b) the short and long term impact of the decision on stakeholders;

(c) the effectiveness and sustainability of chemicals other than Fenthion to manage fruit fly;

(d) transition arrangements following the restriction on the use of Fenthion, including Area Wide Management; and

(e) any related matters.

Question agreed to.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 28 March 2014:

The industry structures and systems governing the collection and disbursement of marketing and research and development levies pertaining to the sale of grass-fed cattle set out in subsections 6(l)(a), 6(1)(b), 6(2)(a) and 6(2)(b) of Schedule 3 (Cattle transactions) of the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 1999, including:

(a) the basis on which levies are collected and used;

(b) the opportunities levy payers have to influence the quantum and investment of the levies;

(c) industry governance arrangements, consultation and reporting frameworks; and

(d) recommendations to maximise the ability of grass fed cattle producers to respond to challenges and capture opportunities in marketing and research and development.

Question agreed to.

Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 26 March 2014:

The future of the beekeeping and pollination service industries in Australia, with particular reference to:

(a) the importance of these industries from a food security, environmental and financial point of view;

(b) current challenges facing the beekeeping industry domestically and internationally, and its future sustainability;

(c) the adequacy of the current biosecurity arrangements for imported and exported honey, apiary products, package bees and queen bees;

(d) Australia's food labelling requirements, and how these affect the beekeeping industry;

(e) the recommendations from the House Standing Committee on Primary Industries and Resources 2008 report More than Honey; the future of the Australian honey bee and pollination industries, and the Rural Affairs and Transport References Committee 2011 report Science underpinning the inability to eradicate the Asian honey bee; and

(f) any related matters.

Question agreed to.