Livestock Biosecurity Legislation Review

The Livestock Act 2008 and Livestock Regulations 2009 governs the administration and provides the biosecurity regulatory framework to both protect and support the needs of the livestock industries in the Northern Territory.

The legislation requires a full and comprehensive review to ensure the livestock biosecurity legislation framework remains flexible and modern.

This ensures the Territory can anticipate, respond and adapt to future biosecurity risks and challenges associated with sustaining livestock industries as well as meeting the continuously changing community expectations.

The Biosecurity and Animal Welfare branch within the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade is leading the regulatory review. You can complete the online survey or provide a written submission via email or post. Contact information has been provided if you wish to speak with departmental staff as part of preparing your submission.

The formal consultation period for the review will take place over a 4-week period. Submissions close 6.00 pm, Monday, 4 October 2021.

Information collected during this consultation process may be provided to persons making an application under freedom of information laws. Personal details will not be included or published in any report.

Review Focus

The Territory’s growing livestock industry relies on a biosecurity system that manages disease and food safety risks, provides effective traceability and maintains animal welfare standards. The result is a reliable consistent supply of quality, safe, disease-free and ethically produced livestock identifiable from paddock to plate.

A strong biosecurity system will protect, support and grow a sustainable cattle industry providing new global trade and market opportunities.

The main areas for consultation fall into five broad categories:

1. Strengthening the Territory’s biosecurity traceability system

• Modernisation and integrating national livestock identification, traceability and livestock movements
• Clarifying regulation requirements for stray livestock
• Clarifying use of stock routes for biosecurity purposes
  1. Strengthening biosecurity control measures including
     • Recognising property-based quality assurance programs
     • Regulating harmful contaminants and chemical residues
     • Use of rapid testing on property
     • Enhanced flexibility to respond to emerging biosecurity threats
  2. Adoption of nationally agreed Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines (AAWSG) for cattle, sheep, saleyards and depots
  3. Discussion on appropriate process for fees and charges to fund a range of services that sustains viable livestock industries and removal or reduction of administrative ‘red tape’ and duplication, where possible to provide greater efficiencies and savings for the Territory’s livestock industries
  4. Reviewing regulatory compliance approaches.

Respond to questions in the online survey at: haveyoursay.nt.gov.au/livestock-biosecurity-legislation-review