Miniature horse owner fined for cattle tick offence

A tip-off from the local horse community has led to a Woodburn woman being fined $550 for the illegal movement of horses south from Queensland into NSW.

“The woman was fined $550 for transporting two miniature horses into NSW without stopping for treatment at the border for cattle ticks,” said NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Regional Veterinary Officer Paul Freeman.

“She was known to have knowledge of the requirements for moving livestock into NSW from Queensland and yet failed to comply with the border regulations,” he said.

Mr Freeman said it was pleasing that responsible members of the horse community who were aware of the risk the illegal movement posed to the NSW livestock industries came forward.

“Cattle ticks are the most serious external parasite of cattle in Australia - they can attach to cattle, horses and other livestock and can transmit tick fever, a potentially fatal disease of cattle.

“Cattle, horses and other livestock coming from tick-infected Queensland must stop at the border and be treated for cattle ticks before they enter NSW.

“If people fail to stop at the border and end up bringing cattle ticks into NSW the result can be months of quarantine for affected properties and expensive eradication campaigns.”

Mr Freeman said cattle ticks are a notifiable disease in NSW, meaning stockowners must report findings and any outbreaks must be eradicated.

“In the past year, there have been 47 properties infected with cattle tick in NSW, including six over winter, and that is down 20 per cent on the previous year,” he said.

“The important message for stockowners is to abide by livestock movement requirements, and check stock for cattle ticks because treatments are available and early identification can keep losses to a minimum.

“Stockowners who suspect their stock have cattle ticks or tick fever should contact NSW DPI, their private veterinarian, their local LHPA or the emergency animal disease watch hotline on 1800 675 888.

"DPI has identification brochures available and people can call DPI on (02) 6626 1201 for information about the regulations when moving livestock across the Queensland border."

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