News

WA increases sheep and goat levy to fight footrot and wild dogs

Sheep Central June 17, 2020

WESTERN Australian sheep and goat producers will contribute 17 cents from the sale of every animal to help fund programs to control virulent footrot and wild dogs in the state.

The increased producer voluntary contribution to the Sheep and Goat Industry Funding Scheme – up two cents  from the current levy — will take effect from 1 July 2020.

Chair of the industry-based Sheep and Goat Industry Funding Scheme Management Committee, Charles Wass, said it was important that producers, stock agents and processors were aware of the new contribution rate.

The funding scheme enables the WA sheep and goat industry to raise funds for programs to address priority pest and disease threats. Each year the management committee determines which priorities to address, the scheme’s area of operation and the producer contribution rate.

Mr Wass said the increase in the rate was to enable the industry to continue to support programs which address key pests and diseases.

“Wild dogs were added to the scheme last year after feedback unanimously identified this as the priority issue for the WA sheep and goat industry.

“The increased rate will fund on-ground wild dog control in priority gap areas as well as continuing the control program for virulent footrot,” he said.

Producers are able to opt-out of the Sheep and Goat Industry Funding Scheme by submitting a Notice of Opt-Out form to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) before 30 June, but will lose all entitlements to assistance and compensation via the scheme.

More information about the Sheep and Goat Industry Funding Scheme and the process and conditions attached to opting-out are available from the DPIRD website .

Source: DPIRD.

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