Animal Health & Husbandry
31 January, 2025
Re-offender pleads guilt to traceability offences
LIVESTOCK agent Andrew Wilson recently pleaded guilty to four charges for traceability offences under the Livestock Disease Control Regulations 2017.
Mr Wilson, who appeared in the Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court last month, was sentenced to an aggregate fine of $2,500 with conviction.
He was also given an order for costs of $341.79.
Agriculture Victoria compliance manager Daniel Bode said on four occasions in October and November 2023, Mr Wilson sent cattle to an abattoir in Tongala (Victoria) without recording or forwarding the property identification code prior to their dispatch.
“This resulted in the loss of lifetime traceability for a total of 61 animals,” Mr Bode said.
The Magistrate considered Mr Wilson’s prior convictions for related offending in 2017 and 2021, his plea of guilty and actions taken to prevent further offending.
The Magistrate also commented that the offending had consequences of significance and general deterrence was necessary to send a message.
Mr Bode said the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) is Australia’s system for identifying and tracking cattle, buffalo and bison for disease control, food safety and market access purposes.
“An effective traceability system is critical to protecting Victoria from biosecurity risks and ensuring access to international markets,” Mr Bode said.
“The NLIS provides information about a product’s journey from farm to the end consumer and enables prompt responses to food safety incidents, emergency animal diseases and also protects the reputation of Victoria’s livestock industry as a supplier of quality meat and dairy products for domestic and export markets.”
Mr Bode said the detection of the offending and thorough investigation conducted by the department had ensured potential risks to Victorian livestock and consumers were avoided.
“The outcome of the matters brought before the court served as a strong reminder the Victorian community takes biosecurity seriously,” Mr Bode said.
“The vast majority of Victorian producers do an excellent job helping to ensure a strong biosecurity system is maintained.
“A strong biosecurity system not only protects our agriculture sector, but also our environment, biodiversity, cultural heritage, economy and way of life.”
For more information on NLIS, including training on how to use the system, please visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/nlis.
Anyone wishing to make a specific complaint in regard to livestock welfare or traceability breaches can contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186.