Collection of Contributions

All pig owners in the State contribute $0.20 per head to the Pig Industry Fund where pigs are sold for $20.00 or more per head.

Contributions to the Fund are collected by stock firms and abattoirs on behalf of pig owners in the State, and forwarded to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. The Minister acts as the administrator of the Fund. The SA Pig Industry Advisory Group makes recommendations to the Minister on spending priorities for the Fund.

The Fund has predominantly been used to sponsor programs designed to improve production efficiency, increase producer knowledge or provide alternative income sources (such as through the composting of bedding straw).

Although contributions to the fund are collected on a compulsory basis from all pig owners, a refund of contributions paid is permitted. A pig 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 that indicates that the contribution has been deducted is usually 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 five years.