The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today issued a draft determination proposing to grant authorisation to AgStewardship Australia Limited to charge a four cent per litre/kilogram levy on manufacturers and suppliers of agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemicals.
The Industry Waste Reduction Scheme incorporates the drumMUSTER and ChemClear® programs, which provide for the collection and disposal of unwanted, empty agvet chemical containers. The scheme has had an authorisation* in place since 1998.
"The ongoing operation of the Scheme facilitated by the levy is likely to result in significant environmental benefits," ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said today. "The ACCC received a large number of submissions from interested parties, including State, Territory and Commonwealth agencies and agricultural and veterinary industry associations. These parties support the Scheme and consider that it encourages environmentally responsible practices by facilitating the recycling and safe removal of agvet chemicals and containers from the waste stream."
The ACCC proposes to authorise the arrangements for five years. The ACCC's draft determination will be available from the ACCC website.
The ACCC is seeking submissions from interested parties in relation to its draft determination. Submissions can be made to: The General Manager, Adjudication Branch, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, GPO Box 3131, Canberra, ACT, 2601. Submissions can also be lodged by fax on (02) 6243 1121 or by email to: adjudication@accc.gov.au.
For media inquiries to the ACCC chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, please call Ms Lin Enright, ACCC Media, on (02) 6243 1108 or 0414 613 520.
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