Western Australian Consolidated Acts

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MEAT INDUSTRY AUTHORITY ACT 1976 - SECT 16

16 .         Functions of the Authority

        (1)         The functions of the Authority are — 

            (a)         to survey and keep under review the establishments and facilities available in the State for the sale of livestock and the slaughter of animals, and for the processing of carcases, for human consumption;

            (b)         to review the operation of abattoirs and processing works, including — 

                  (i)         inspecting, and where appropriate approving, the premises and facilities, and the conduct of operations there; and

                  (ii)         recording in respect of each establishment its effective capacity and actual performance;

            (c)         to implement schemes and practices for the branding of any carcases or meat, which may include practices to define or identify its — 

                  (i)         source;

                  (ii)         method of production;

                  (iii)         processing treatment;

                  (iv)         quality; or

                  (v)         other characteristics;

            (d)         to assume responsibility for, or arrange for the management of — 

                  (i)         Midland Saleyard, or any other undertaking, establishment or facility in the meat industry that the Minister declares, by notice published in the Government Gazette , to be a replacement for Midland Saleyard; and

                  (ii)         if the Minister so directs and subject to subsection (2), any other undertaking, establishment or facility in the meat industry;

            (e)         to encourage and promote improved efficiency throughout the meat industry;

            (f)         to advise the Minister generally, and in particular as to — 

                  (i)         methods of overcoming areas of conflicting interest within the meat and livestock industries;

                  (ii)         future requirements for saleyards, abattoirs and processing works, particularly in relation to the overall slaughtering capacity of the State and the location of those establishments; and

                  (iii)         any matter relating to the meat industry referred to it by the Minister, or any matter that it considers necessary;

                and

            (g)         to carry out such other functions as are required to give effect to this Act generally, in relation to saleyards, abattoirs, processing works and other facilities, undertakings or activities in the meat industry.

        (2)         The Minister may give the Authority a direction under subsection (1)(d)(ii) only if the Minister is satisfied that the meat industry will suffer substantial loss or substantial disruption unless the Authority assumes responsibility for, or arranges for the management of, the undertaking, establishment or facility concerned.

        (3)         The Minister is to specify in a direction under subsection (1)(d)(ii) the period, not exceeding 2 years, during which the Authority is to assume responsibility for, or arrange for the management of, the undertaking, establishment or facility concerned.

        (4)         The Minister may from time to time, by a direction given to the Authority, extend the period referred to in subsection (3) by a period not exceeding 12 months.

        [Section 16 inserted by No. 32 of 1993 s. 21; amended by No. 46 of 1998 s. 9; No. 70 of 2003 s. 56.]