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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-11-08 Daily Xml
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PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION CODES

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:08): My questions are to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. What is the budget forecast impact on primary producers for the financial years out to 2014-15 resulting from the introduction of a property identification code and the proposed biosecurity fee? Will the minister also outline how compliance with the requirement for owners of property with livestock to register for a property identification code will be ensured?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (15:08): I thank the honourable member for his most important question, and certainly with the support of the livestock industry, mandatory registration and allocation of property identification codes (PICs) commenced on 1 January 2011. Overall the new system commenced well, I am advised, and new registrations are being received.

In 2010 Biosecurity SA held three meetings with the chairs of the livestock industry advisory groups, covering sheep, cattle, deer, goats, pigs, horses and alpacas, plus representation from the South Australian Farmers Federation, to discuss mandatory PICs so that all livestock properties in South Australia could be mapped. Knowing where livestock are and how many animals are on a property is obviously a very important tool in ensuring an effective and professional response to animal health emergencies, whether disease, fire or floods. Exotic animal diseases of particular concern include diseases such as foot and mouth and a number of others. Livestock owners wishing to sell or transfer livestock under the national livestock identification scheme are required to have livestock tagged and their properties must have a PIC. However, most livestock and horse properties do not have a PIC.

All states are moving to mandate PICs, with Victoria extending mandatory PICs for livestock to include horses, I am advised, last year. I am advised that the level of support from livestock organisations for PIC and PIC registration fees has in fact been quite strong; that is at least the advice I have received. Biosecurity SA has pressed ahead, with the support of the industry, with a communication campaign to encourage owners of livestock to obtain PICs. In terms of the specific questions around funding implications, I will take those on notice and bring back a response.

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins: What about the biosecurity fee?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: The biosecurity fee has yet to be resolved. That is still being discussed. That issue has not been finalised, to the best of my knowledge and briefings. No model has been finalised at this point in time, so I understand.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Dawkins has a supplementary question.

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