South Perth, Western Australia
June 9, 2004
Uncertainty
about the size of this year’s crop has prompted the
Grains Licensing
Authority of Western Australia to seek an extension on the
timeframe required to consider special licences.
Grains
Licensing Authority (GLA) chairman Colin Mann said two special
licence applications for feed and malting barley received on 21
May 2004, would not be determined until later in the year.
“Under the Grain Marketing Act 2002,
the Authority is required to make a decision on applications as
soon as practicable but no later than 30 days after receipt of
the application and prescribed fee,” Mr Mann said.
“In the normal course of events, decisions on
the special licence applications would have been due by 22 June
2004.
“However due to the current uncertainty of
the size of crop production this year, the GLA will be best
placed to make its decision in mid August when there will be an
improved understanding of potential and likely crop size.”
As required by the Act, the Authority
requested and received approval from the Agriculture Minister to
extend the decision making timeframe to mid August.
Mr Mann said all applications would continue
to be considered on their merits, however if received before mid
July an extension of time would be sought for a decision.
He said to assist all stakeholders in the
lead up to the coming season, a set of operating principles have
been developed to assist the equitable issuing of special export
licences.
“All applications up to mid July 2004 will be
treated equally (including the two received to date) and after
mid July applications will continue to be treated on their
merits.
“Under normal circumstances there will be a
60,000 tonne limit per special export licence for the prescribed
grain and special export licences will normally be issued for
one year only.
“Preference will be given to issuing licences
into markets that are not currently serviced by the main licence
holder.”
Mr Mann said the GLA was finalising its
annual report to the Minister on the operation and effectiveness
of the special licensing scheme under the Act and would be
submitted it to him in the near future. |