A new targeted campaign launched by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) requires that all livestock in transit must be properly identified and accompanied by correct transport documents.
Biosecurity Compliance Coordinator at the Department, Paul Cassidy said Operation Morborough aimed to help build awareness around the importance of traceability and its role in protecting the State’s valuable livestock industries and important export markets.
“Inspectors will conduct targeted inspections of livestock in transport across the State during the coming months, including small consignments,” Mr Cassidy said.
“All keepers of livestock are required to be registered as an owner of stock with the DPIRD, no matter how many animals they keep.”
He said this included cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, horses, deer, camels, ostriches, alpacas and llamas.
“Under Western Australia’s biosecurity legislation, livestock must be identified with an approved National Livestock Identification System tag or electronic device,” Mr Cassidy said.
“Not correctly identifying your animals can result in fines being issued by the DPIRD.”
Executive Director of Biosecurity at the DPIRD, Mia Carbon said livestock traceability was the key to effective early detection and response to a disease, such as foot and mouth disease or lumpy skin disease.
“With livestock disease threats on our doorstep, the importance of livestock traceability has never been so clear,” Dr Carbon said.
Further information about livestock identification in western Australia can be found at this PS News link.
