QUEENSLAND’S Minister for Primary Industries has issued a blunt warning to cattle producers who break biosecurity laws, after the largest fine ever issued under the state’s Biosecurity Act has been handed down for illegal movement of stock.
In mid-2023 a Qld/Australian Capital Territory based cattle company transported thousands of head of cattle across the Qld/New South Wales border and dispersed them across Qld over four months without the required movement records or National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) notifications.
The cattle passed through stock routes in Goondiwindi, Western Downs, Balonne, and Maranoa local government areas, before they were consigned to various other destinations including to slaughter and feedlots.
A company representative pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Magistrates Court and was issued a combined penalty of $45,000 for 22 offences, including failures to provide prescribed livestock movement information, maintain accurate records, and register as a biosecurity entity.
The Crisafulli Government acknowledges the support from the NSW DPI and NSW Local Land Services in this matter.
“This is a clear signal breaches of the Act will not be tolerated,” Tony Perrett, Qld Minister for Primary Industries said.
“The hefty fine underscores the importance of complying with Queensland’s biosecurity regulations, which exist to protect Queensland’s livestock industry.
“The vast majority of producers do the right thing, but when there is a flagrant disregard for Queensland’s biosecurity, we will act.”
The Crisafulli Government has committed $50 million to recruit 100 new biosecurity officers during this term of government, with 37 of those positions now filled.
“Biosecurity is respected as the linchpin of our agricultural industries, we are investing in it, and we are delivering on our promise to beef it up,” Minister Perrett said.
“We have set an ambitious target to grow the value of primary production to $30 billion by 2030 and this can’t be done without building back up our biosecurity workforce.
“We are restoring the number of boots on the ground and putting those who willfully defy our strong biosecurity rules on notice.”
Australia’s strong beef export markets are built on world-class biosecurity standards, and any flagrant disregard for these rules puts our entire industry at risk. The vast majority of producers do the right thing, and it is essential we protect the integrity of the system.
A bit of 2-faced hypocrisy, it seems to me!
If the Q’ld government wants to talk about major ‘bio-security’ risk, then look no further than the elephant-in-the-room, and them taking the proverbial eye off the ball on ‘the tick-line’. It’s a ticking time-bomb …
💣 tick-tock 💥.
IMO
Not sure about hypocrisy Michael, but I’m with your comment about the tick line.