The State Treasurer asked the ERA on 1 February 2010 to undertake an inquiry into the effectiveness of the Chicken Meat Industry Act 1977 for the purpose of fulfilling the requirements of section 29(4) of that Act.

In accordance with the Terms of Reference, the ERA was to consider and develop findings on:

• How the Act currently operates, including what actions are taken under the Act by chicken meat growers, chicken meat processors and the Chicken Meat Industry Committee;
• The current issues affecting the chicken meat industry in Western Australia, including issues relating to the major processors being based in the eastern states and competition from interstate chicken meat;
• Whether there is a need for legislation to improve stability in this industry, which was the object of the Act when enacted, or any other reason, or if the Act should be repealed; and
• If there is a need for legislation, whether the Act in its current form is effective in meeting this need or should be amended or replaced.

The ERA was required to give consideration to, but was not limited to:

• An examination of the chicken meat industry nationally;
• An examination of the relative negotiating power of chicken meat growers and chicken meat processors in relation to the terms of contract between them; and
• If any imbalance in negotiating power is found to exist, a consideration of whether any intervention is required or recommended to redress this imbalance.

The ERA published an issues paper on 25 February 2010 to help interested parties understand the matters under review and to facilitate public consultation. Submissions were invited from industry, government and all other stakeholder groups, including the general community. The ERA also published a draft report on 4 August 2010 for further public consultation. Submissions in response to the issues paper and the draft report are available on the ERA's website.

The ERA delivered the final report for the inquiry to the State Government on 1 November 2010, which tabled the report in Parliament on 29 November 2010.

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