Cattle ear tags probe

The involvement of some West Gippsland properties in alleged cattle ear tagging tampering offences is being investigated by authorities.

Agriculture Victoria has confirmed it is “currently investigating a matter regarding alleged National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS) offences, with links to West Gippsland.”

“As this is an active investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time,” the Agriculture Victoria spokesperson said.

The Gazette understands the investigation is linked to an incident at Portland in August in which a shipment of 5000 cattle, valued at $10 million, was halted over allegations that ear tags had been tampered with.

The dairy cattle were scheduled to leave Portland on a live export ship bound for China.

At the time, it was reported that ear tags, used to trace the origin of cattle, were tampered with.

The Federal Agriculture Department reportedly halted the consignment with concerns that China’s strict export protocols had not been adhered to.

Federal officials said at the time a joint investigation was underway with Agriculture Victoria.

Federal agriculture officials confirmed last week the department is still investigating the consignment of cattle which were to be exported from Portland in August.

A spokesperson said it was inappropriate to comment on ongoing investigations.

The NLIS is Australia’s system for the identification and traceability of cattle, sheep and goats.

Livestock traceability through the NLIS is a key part of Victoria’s biosecurity system.

It allows livestock to be traced and diseases contained in the event of an emergency disease outbreak such as foot-and-mouth-disease.

Producers are required to identify livestock with NLIS tags, conduct livestock movement transfer on the NLIS database when livestock move and ensure that an accurate and complete National Vendor Declaration is completed when livestock move off their property.

The maximum penalty for NLIS offences is $9913 per offence.

In May last year, three Gippsland-based livestock agents were ordered to pay a total of $12,000 to the RSPCA for failing to correctly record cattle movements.

In the matter heard at Sale Magistrates’ Court, a man pleaded guilty to charges relating to livestock traceability and failing to update records.

Two other men were found guilty of similar charges and moving cattle between properties without NLIS devices.

The charges followed a department investigation into breaches relating to the movement of more than 300 cattle.