Question regarding straying cattle on the Great Northern Highway in the Kimberley region, focusing on identification, liability for removal costs, and prosecution of pastoralists. The Minister for Agriculture and Food deflects responsibility for liability and other stretches of the highway.

AnsweredQoN 2848Legislative Council
Asked
10 March 2015
Portfolio
Agriculture and Food

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to question on notice No. 2215 regarding straying livestock on public highways and roads in the Kimberley and the Minister's reply, dated 17 February 2015, and I ask: (a) were the cattle that were removed from the Great Northern Highway easement branded for identification purposes; (b) if no to (a), why not, and is this in contravention of regulations; (c) if they were branded, indicating ownership, is the pastoralist liable for removal and disposal expenses; (d) if no to (c), why not; (e) if ownership of cattle can be ascertained, would the pastoralist be liable for prosecution, and will the Minister take the appropriate action; (f) if no to (e), why not; (g) is the Minister aware that there are problems with wandering cattle on other stretches of the Great Northern Highway, for example; Derby to Wyndham/Kununurra, and will the Minister describe the steps being taken to manage the situation in order to avoid collisions and deaths; and (h) if no to (g), why not?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
21 April 2015
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food
Response time
42 days
(a)-(h) The Biosecurity and Agriculture Management (Identification and Movement of Stock and Apiaries) Regulations 2013 require cattle in the Kimberley over the age of 18 months to be identified [r76(2)(e)] with a brand and/or earmark [r76(5)].
The Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) is not responsible for issues regarding liability of removal and disposal expenses of cattle, or prosecution of pastoralists for liability.
DAFWA is also not responsible for issues regarding livestock straying onto other stretches of the Great Northern Highway.
Please refer this question to the Minister responsible, the Minister for Transport.

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