Have your say on how non-indigenous animals are kept in NSW

NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) is seeking community feedback on how camels, bison, water buffalo and other non-indigenous animals are kept and moved throughout the State. 

NSW DPI Executive Director Biosecurity, Bruce Christie, said a number of new measures are being proposed to strengthen biosecurity systems and the traceability of these animals. 

“Strong biosecurity and traceability measures are critical to control how these animals are kept in NSW and to minimise any potential impacts on the environment, human health or our multi-billion dollar agricultural sector,” Mr Christie said. 

“Many non-indigenous animals pose a risk for exotic diseases and it’s important that we can monitor animals and have the right systems in place to quickly and effectively respond to disease outbreaks.      

“The proposed changes follow extensive consultation with stakeholders and industry representatives, including through the Non-Indigenous Animals Advisory Committee. 

“We now want to hear from the community on the proposed changes.” 

The proposed new measures include: 

• Strengthening security arrangements for certain higher-risk animals to prevent the theft, escape or accidental release of licensed animals;   
• Extending compliance measures and fines to crack down on illegal activities;  
• Amending a number of animal classifications to provide greater consistency with nationally recommended classifications; 
• Simplifying licensing arrangements for the keeping of camels outside of the western division of NSW; 
• Improved surveillance and monitoring of animal movements, including through the use of microchips, NLIS (National Livestock Identification System) tags or tattoos; 
• Streamlining and reducing the costs of importing or moving lower-risk animals (eg bison and water buffalo).   

Bruce Christie said that anyone currently wishing to keep non-indigenous animals in NSW are subject to a range of licensing and movement requirements under the Non-Indigenous Animals Act.  

“Without the appropriate controls in place, these controlled animals can become pests to agriculture and impact on our grazing and farming sectors, biodiversity or even human health,” Mr Christie said.

“These controlled animals can include species such as camels, American bison, water buffalo, gazelles, squirrels and most zoo-type animals such as monkeys and other primates. 

“We’ve seen an increase in the number of these types of animals held in private hands and we need to continually look at our policies to ensure we have the right procedures in place to prevent the establishment of additional pest animals in NSW.” 

The draft 2012 Regulation and accompanying Regulatory Impact Statement is available on the NSW DPI website and people have until Friday 15 June 2012 to have their say: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/about/legislation-acts/review 

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