Export Health Certificates: Proposed introduction of charges.

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A decision made (05/05/2009) regarding: Export Health Certificates: Proposed introduction of charges.

Decision Reference: MD-PE-2009-0090
Decision Summary Title		Export Health Certificate Issue and Certification: Cost Recovery		Date of Decision Summary:	24 April 2009
Decision Summary Author :		States Veterinary Officer		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?		Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title:		Export Health Certificate Issue and Certification: Cost Recovery		Date of Written Report:	24 April 2009
Written Report Author		States Veterinary Officer		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Export health certificates: proposed introduction of charges.
Decision(s): The Minister determined that a report and proposition proposing the introduction of a new cost recovery charge, to be levied on exporters requiring a health certification professional service provided by the Environment Department, should be prepared for Ministerial approval.
Reason(s) for Decision: Exporters of animals and animal products do not pay for the service provided by the States, contrary to the “User Pays” principle of Financial Direction no. 4.1
Resource Implications: None
Action required: SVO to prepare a proposition to introduce a new charge requiring exporters to pay for issue of export certificates, including movement documents and services provided by the States, based on cost recovery
Signature: Senator F E Cohen			Position: Minister
Date Signed:			Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):
Version:	V4

Export Health Certificates: Proposed introduction of charges.

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT

ENVIRONMENT DIVISION

Export Health Certificate Issue and Certification: Cost Recovery

(Public)

Purpose of the Report

Demonstrate the basis for introduction of a new charge, in accordance with States Financial Direction Number 4.1.

Background

To minimise risk of disease transmission, international animal and animal product movements are frequently subject to veterinary health certification in the country of origin. In the case of shellfish, inspection and certification of a movement document is carried out by authorised Inspectors.

Export Certificates and Movement documents are official documents issued by government and completed by the inspecting veterinary surgeon or Inspector to enable trade or movement to take place. There is currently no charge for issue of the certificates.

Exporters of dogs and cats pay their private veterinary surgeon for the necessary inspection and certification. Export Health certification of other species is carried out by the States Veterinary Officer or Inspector. No charge is made to exporters for examination or inspection of animals and animal products and certification for export by Department staff.

Discussion

The practice of certification by the States Veterinary Officer and Inspectors, at no cost to the exporter is an example of a particular group of individuals (exporters) receiving a valuable service from a States Department and being subsidised by taxpayers generally.

Conclusion

Introduction of charges, based on cost recovery, for issue of export documents and inspection or examination of animals and animal products by the States Veterinary Officer or Inspectors is consistent with States Policy of “User Pays”.

Recommendation

Agree to lodge a proposition for debate in the States to enable introduction of a new charge for issue of export documents, and for certification of animals and animal products on cost recovery basis, for professional service by the States Veterinary Officer and Inspectors.

Written by:	[States Veterinary Officer]

Approved by:	[Director of Environment]

Ministerial Decision ref: MD-PE-2009-0090

24 April 2009