WA sheep movements must be recorded.

A WESTERN Australian sheep producer has been fined $1200 for failing to comply with traceability requirements.

The Denmark Shire producer pleaded guilty to four charges relating to his failure to supply a valid waybill for the movement of stock and two charges of not recording details of sheep movements in the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) database.

The producer was ordered to pay costs of $742.50 and fined $1200 in relation to the six offences, under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act.

Department of Agriculture and Food livestock biosecurity director Peter Gray said valid waybills and the NLIS database would be critical in the event of a disease outbreak as it would allow industry and government to rapidly trace livestock and respond as quickly as possible.

“NLIS tagging, recording movement on the NLIS database and correctly filled out waybills are the cornerstones of our livestock traceability system.

“Western Australia exports 80 per cent of its livestock and livestock product annually, which generated $2 billion in 2015/16. This would not be possible without an effective traceability system to verify the food safety and health status of our livestock,” Dr Gray said.

Department brands registrar Bob Vassallo said DAFWA inspectors regularly checked that livestock identification and traceability requirements were being met throughout the supply chain, which included auditing the NLIS database.

“The majority of WA industry stakeholders are complying with traceability requirements as this is crucial to their ability to access markets.

“The department is happy to assist anyone who has difficulty using the system. There is information on the DAFWA website or there are separate sheep and cattle help desks,” Dr Vassallo said.

“For assistance with sheep NLIS, contact the sheep helpdesk on +61 (0)8 9363 4150 or email [email protected]; for cattle contact 61 (0)8 9780 6222 or email [email protected].”

Source: WA Department of Agriculture and Food.