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The Export Wheat Commission (EWC) was a statutory authority of the Australian government. The EWC was established on 1 October 2007 and superseded the Wheat Export Authority (WEA). The EWC was a statutory commission operating under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997. The EWC’s role was determined by the Wheat ''Marketing Act 1989'' (the Act) and its operations were funded from three sources: 1. Wheat Export Charge In June 2003, the Wheat Marketing Act 1989 was amended to make provision for the introduction of a Wheat Export Charge (WEC) on all Australian wheat exports. The WEC came into effect by regulation on 1 October 2003 and was set at 22 cents per tonne. It remained at that level during the reporting period. Income provided by the WEC for the EWC in 2007–08 was AUD1,191 million (representing 33% of total funding requirements) compared with AUD2.208 million (61%) in 2006–07, and AUD3.321 million (97%) in 2005–06. The Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Regulations 2000, made under the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Act 1999, provided for the collection of the WEC. The WEC was collected by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s Levy and Revenue Service which charged the EWC for the administration of its collection and disbursement and exporter payment compliance. This service cost AUD1,660 per month in 2007–08, compared with AUD1,830 per month in 2006–07 and AUD2,080 in 2005–06. 2. Export Application Fee In August 2003, an amendment to the Wheat Marketing Regulations 1990 established a AUD50 fee on all export consent applications. This made up a minor proportion of EWC income. During 2007–08 export application fees amounted to AUD950, compared to AUD15,000 in both 2006–07 and 2005–06. 3. Additional Funding As income through the WEC was significantly reduced due to the drought and reduced wheat exports in 2006–07, the Government provided a grant of AUD2 million in September 2007 to allow the agency to continue operating until 31 March 2008. This grant covered ongoing operational costs and the transition from the former Wheat Export Authority to the EWC. The EWC’s financial position was transferred to Wheat Exports Australia on 1 July 2008 under the Wheat Export Marketing Act 2008. The EWC facilitated the operations of Australia’s legislated wheat export arrangements and informed Government and growers of outcomes. The EWC: * controlled the export of bulk wheat from Australia; * monitored and reported on AWB International's performance in relation to the export of wheat from the National Pool (also referred to as the single desk marketing system); * monitored compliance with the conditions of export consents; * administered the Non-bulk Wheat Quality Assurance Scheme; and * managed operations efficiently and effectively, consistent with corporate governance principles, and * informed stakeholders of its activities. The EWC assumed responsibility for the role of the former Wheat Export Authority to monitor and report on Australia's single desk wheat export arrangements, under which AWB(International) Ltd (AWB(I)) was given a near monopoly on exporting wheat, in particular bulk exports. The 2007/08 National Pool was the last one to be managed by AWBI. Overview of the Export Wheat Commission The Export Wheat Commission (EWC) was established as an Australian Government statutory authority on 1 October 2007, under the ''Wheat Marketing Act 1989'' (the Act) after legislative changes in June 2007. This Overview is based on the EWC’s Corporate Plan 2007–08 and the Portfolio Budget Statement 2008–09. Vision The EWC vision was for a sustainable, innovative and internationally competitive wheat export sector that continued to provide optimal returns for growers and develop Australia’s broader interests. Mission The EWC facilitated the operations of Australia’s legislated wheat export arrangements and informed Government and growers of outcomes. About the Commission The EWC was an Australian Government agency within the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio. It operated under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and was required to meet related financial management and reporting requirements. EWC staff were employed under the Public Service Act 1999. The EWC comprised a Chairman and four other Commissioners, appointed for a period of up to three years by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The Commissioners were supported by a Secretariat which comprised up to 16 full-time staff headed by a Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The Commissioners were responsible for fulfilling the statutory requirements of the EWC. The Secretariat assisted the Commissioners in meeting their obligations. The Commissioners carried out major decision-making functions and provided guidance to the Acting CEO who had delegated authority to undertake many of the functions and responsibilities of the EWC. Day-to-day control over core areas of EWC activity rested with a small executive team who worked closely with Secretariat staff. Primary Functions of the EWC Under the Act the EWC had three functions: * to control the export of wheat from Australia (other than the export of wheat in bags or containers) * to monitor AWB International Limited’s (AWBI’s) performance in relation to the export of wheat and examine and report on the benefits to growers that result from that performance * to undertake such other functions as administered by the Commission — such as the Non-bulk Wheat Quality Assurance Scheme, that commenced on 27 August 2007. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Export Wheat Commission」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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