Collection of Contributions

Under the Primary Industry Funding Schemes (Cattle Industry Fund) Regulations 2000, a contribution to the Fund is payable by a person who purchases transaction tags or permanent identification devices (required under the National Livestock Identification System) to the authorised supplier of the tags or devices (as collecting agent for the Minister). Contributions are currently $1.00 per bobby calf tag and 50 cents per NLIS identification device.

The Minister acts as the administrator of the Fund. The SA Cattle Advisory Group acts as the consultative committee for the Fund, and makes recommendations to the Minister on projects that should be sponsored, based on industry support. Consultation strategies used include producer and association submissions, providing reports to various industry and agri-political associations (such as the SA Farmers Federation and SA Dairy Association) for discussion, and involving producers on technical and review sub-committees.

The Fund has predominantly been used to sponsor programs designed to maintain and improve trade access for livestock and their products. Programs cover disease control and eradication activities (Bovine Johnes Disease (BJD) and Enzootic Bovine Leucosis (EBL)), trade risk management (growth promotant and antibiotic residues) and development of future cattle producers (SA Cattle Assessment School). The Fund has also contributed towards the implementation of the national livestock identification system (NLIS) for cattle, sheep and goats that is essential for international and domestic market access for these commodities

Although contributions to the fund are collected on a compulsory basis from all cattle owners, a refund of contributions paid is permitted. A cattle owner seeking a refund of contributions is required to submit a Request for Refund form, and provide documentary evidence that the contribution was paid. A tax invoice from the authorised tag/device manufacturer that indicates that the contribution has been paid is adequate evidence.

Contributors to the Fund whose contributions are refunded are deemed to be in default of the regulations and are not entitled to any compensation for compulsory slaughter of diseased cattle for a period of five years. 

With the introduction of compulsory use of NLIS devices, producers holding supplies of obsolete tags may return the tags for a refund of the Fund contribution without penalty. A cattle owner seeking a refund of contributions is required to submit a Request for un-used tags Refund form, and return the tags with the refund form as well as provide documentary evidence that the contribution was paid.