News

Qld ups biosecurity fines for invading activists

Beef Central, 29/04/2019

The Palaszczuk Government has activated added protection against the biosecurity risks posed by unauthorised entry onto farms.

Animal activists walking onto a private farming operation near Millmerran in March.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development Mark Furner said people going onto a farming operation must now comply with the property’s biosecurity management plan when they enter or leave, and while they are on the property.

“We have amended the regulations under the Biosecurity Act to allow Queensland Police Service and biosecurity officers to immediately fine people who put on-farm biosecurity at risk,” Mr Furner said.

“This is a direct response to the increase in incidents of unauthorised entry by animal activists to places where animals are kept.

“Unauthorised entry to places where animals are kept can pose biosecurity risks including potential spread of diseases between humans and animals causing production losses that impact the business, supply chain and ultimately consumers.

“People who behave this way now face fines of $652.75, either issued on the spot or later after further evidence is gathered.

“The gross value of production at the farm gate for livestock and livestock products for 2017-18 was around $6.784 billion, including cattle and calves, poultry, pigs, eggs and milk.

Mr Furner said the potential biosecurity harm caused by a person carrying or spreading a disease while entering, leaving or at a livestock production premises could be catastrophic to Queensland industry and regional communities.

To support enforcement of property biosecurity arrangements under this regulation, livestock producers and others who keep animals are encouraged to:

  • Ensure they are registered as a biosecurity entity with Biosecurity Queensland
  • Have an up-to-date biosecurity management plan in place, and
  • have appropriate clear signage at the entry points to their property.

The amendments to the Biosecurity Regulation 2016 and the State Penalties Enforcements Regulation 2014 come into effect on 26 April.

“The Queensland Government has responded quickly with this interim measure and will be exploring longer term changes to the Biosecurity Act 2014 to strengthen property biosecurity even further,” Mr Furner said.

Source: Queensland Government. For more information about developing or updating biosecurity management plans required under the new regulation, visit www.daf.qld.gov.au or call us on 13 25 23.

 

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Comments

  1. Trevor Kernick, 30/04/2019

    What a joke. Why should a farmer, with a big property and numerous entry points, have to put up signs to advise these ferals that they are entering a bio security zone. Also, what happens if one of these clowns gets injured whilst on the property illegally? Who pays?
    The fine should be at least $2000.00 on the spot, no argument.

  2. Jackson Miller, 29/04/2019

    Good thing. Its a pity more state govts wouldn’t follow suit and protect farmers, and others in business against tresspassers and activists. Go Queensland!!!!!!!!

  3. Peter Dunn, 29/04/2019

    Mr. Furner, as expected, is taking the easy option by providing a fine for the misguided trespassers, but Mr. Furner is not taking on the organisers of these events. Why ?

  4. Scott Simpson, 29/04/2019

    $650 for a breach of Biosecurity that could cost the feedlot or farmer millions. I wish this bloody government would get real. $65000 plus jail term no ifs or buts might be a little more realistic

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