Biosecurity Queensland protecting the state's beef
Biosecurity Queensland protecting the state's beef
The Goondiwindi Magistrates Court has handed down fines totalling $114,000 to five parties accused of illegally bringing cattle into Queensland from NSW.
The court made its ruling on June 7 for breaches of the Stock Act 1915.
Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland said all the parties had been charged with introducing stock into Queensland without a health certificate.
"Our beef industry is worth $3.38 billion in 2010 and bringing stock into Queensland without the proper permits could put the industry at risk," the Minister said.
"Biosecurity Queensland will act on any violation of the legislation designed to protect the state's beef industry,
"The matter was heard over two court hearings in which two parties were fined $50,000 each and the remaining three parties were collectively fined $14,000 for the off ences.
"This is the biggest collective fine for this offence in Queensland.
"Three parties were also charged with introducing a prescribed species into Queensland relating to cattle from a Bovine Johne's Disease infected herd."
The Minister said the breaches related to two different consignments of cattle totalling 198 beasts which were moved from NSW into Queensland in March 2009.
"The first consignment did not have the necessary health certificate, and 36 beasts were found to have come from an infected Bovine Johne's Disease herd," Mr Mulherin said.
"This herd was within the Bovine Johne's Disease control zone in NSW.
"In the second consignment, all 100 beasts were also found to have come from an infected Bovine Johne's Disease herd.
"Bovine Johne's Disease is a chronic, wasting disease in cattle caused by bacteria.
"It has a long incubation period, causes chronic diarrhoea which leads to emaciation and eventu ally death.
"Bovine Johne's Disease is notifiable under legislation and any suspected outbreak must be reported to Biosecurity Queensland.
"It is a difficult disease to treat and control and animals showing clinical signs will usually die.
"Queensland has remained free of Bovine Johne's Disease to date and forms part of the national Protected Zone for the disease.
"As a result, the Queensland Government takes the entry of stock into Queensland very seriously.
"Biosecurity Queensland will enforce entry requirements of beasts into Queensland to prevent the spread of diseases like Bovine Johne's Disease.
"People or parties who disregard legislation designed to protect our world renowned beef industry will be prosecuted by Biosecurity Queensland."
Biosecurity Queensland investigator Craig Elliott said any cattle that pose a biosecurity risk, including those suspected of carrying Bovine Johne's disease will be quarantined. < br>
"Any person involved in the movement of livestock into Queensland, including the owners of the cattle and anyone else in the supply chain such as transport companies can be held responsible for illegal entry," he said.
"This case has shown how seriously we consider the illegal entry of livestock into Queensland, and how important it is to protect our state's biosecurity."
More information about the entry requirements for cattle to be brought into Queensland can be found at www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au.
