Retailers need to ensure their accounting and invoicing systems incorporate this increase before 1 July 2019. On 19 December 2018 the ACCC reauthorised the imposition of the drumMUSTER levy on eligible agvet chemical containers until 10 January 2024. The authorisation also allowed an increase in the levy to six cents per litre/kg on eligible containers. This is the first increase in the levy since the program’s inception in 1999.
The increased levy will see the programs continue into the future covering the ever increasing operating costs, allowing for the expansion of the programs as well as providing funding to upgrade existing ageing infrastructure.
The levy funds the operation of Agsafe’s stewardship programs: drumMUSTER & ChemClear. AgStewardship Australia is the trustee for the collection of the levy from participating manufacturers and is also the holder of the ACCC authorisation. AgStewardship have notified participating manufacturers that the increase will come into effect from 1 July 2019.
The programs provide a number of benefits to the agriculture sector by:
- meeting co mpany product stewardship obligations
- providing effective and environmentally responsible disposal methods of unwanted chemicals and containers
- ensuring that a valuable resource is used in the manufacture of new products
- maintaining a clean green image for the industry
Retailers will need to ensure their accounting and invoicing systems incorporate the increase in the levy on all drumMUSTER eligible products sold through their premises.
Agsafe recommends that retailers include the following notification on client’s invoices from 1 July 2019:
‘We promote responsible industry waste management by participating in the drumMUSTER® and ChemClear® programs.
This invoice includes a levy of six cents per litre/kilogram on all sales of AgVet Chemicals or Products in containers eligible to participate in those Programs.’