Agriculture (Biosecurity Protection) Levies 2024

# Agriculture (Biosecurity Protection) Levies 2024 ## What it does The government is introducing new fees (called "levies") on agricultural products to fund biosecurity protection—the systems that keep pests, diseases, and other threats out of Australia's farms and food supply. These levies will be added to products that either already have similar fees or are newly captured under this scheme. ## Why it matters Stronger biosecurity protects Australian farmers and food producers from costly disease outbreaks and pest invasions. The money raised through these levies pays for border inspections, quarantine systems, and disease monitoring that benefit the whole agricultural sector. Ultimately, you'll likely see these costs reflected in food prices. ## Key details - **Two-part system**: The bill creates levies on products already subject to existing agricultural levies, plus new levies on other products the government wants to protect - **Commencement**: The law kicks in on 1 July 2024 (or by proclamation if parliament hasn't passed it by then, but no later than 6 months after it's signed off) - **Who pays**: Importers and producers of agricultural goods pay the levy upfront, though the specific rates will be set by regulations rather than spelled out in this bill itself