Collection of Contributions

Under the Primary Industry Funding Schemes (Deer Industry Fund) Regulations 2002, a contribution of $0.30 for each large species of deer (ie rusa, wapiti, elk sambar and red deer), and $0.15 for each small species of deer (ie fallow and chital deer) owned, or expected to be owned at the commencement of the registration period, must be paid to the Minister for payment into the Deer Industry Fund. The minimum contribution to the Fund is $10 per registration renewal with a maximum contribution of no more than $200 per registration renewal, which occurs biennially. The requirement to register is a provision of the Livestock Act 1997.

The Minister acts as the administrator of the Fund. The SA Deer Industry 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 liaising with agri-political industry associations (eg Deer Industry Association of Australia) and where necessary through direct mail outs to all registered deer owners.

To date only one three-year project has been sponsored since the commencement of the Fund in September 2002. The project aims to monitor Johnes Disease (JD) in deer at the Strathalbyn Abattoir between 2003/2004 to 2005/2006. This is a relatively new disease in deer and industry felt that it was necessary to both identify the extent of the potential problem and to demonstrate to other livestock industries, which can contract the disease, that deer (especially escaped deer) are not a disease risk.

Although contributions to the fund are collected on a compulsory basis from all deer owners, a refund of contributions paid is permitted. A deer 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 registration/renewal process that indicates that the contribution has been deducted 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 direct service or benefit funded by contributions for a period of two years.