Thousands of cattle have been removed from properties across the state, and seven Stock Welfare Panels are working overtime to cope with current conditions prevailing in NSW.
The latest incident was in the Southern Tablelands, where NSW RSPCA has seized 300 cattle, 1400 sheep and 100 horses under the powers of the Prevention to Cruelty to Animals (POCTA) Act due to animal welfare concerns including malnourishment, lack of feeding and infections.
But the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) was quick to point out that not all panel outcomes result in seizure or sale of stock.
Before the introduction of the stock welfare system in 2012, the only available course of action in regard to ongoing animal welfare issues was prosecution.
The panels were established at the request of RSPCA NSW where there were ongoing concerns for animal welfare and a stock owner had not complied with support and directions as to how to care for their animals.
In the majority of the 24 Stock Welfare Panel cases undertaken since the process was introduced, owners have complied with the warning notices issued by the panel, and have rectified the animal welfare issues by providing appropriate feed, destocking or both.
DPI acting animal welfare officer Helen Schaffer says stock welfare panels seek to improve animal welfare outcomes for at-risk stock through a structured process, providing early expert intervention and animal husbandry advice to stock owners so they can address animal welfare concerns.
"This may include NSW DPI issuing written instructions (an official warning notice) for the care of the animals to be completed within a set time-frame," Ms Schaffer said.
The panel will monitor, assess, report on compliance and if the owner or person in charge does not comply, NSW DPI may issue an order to seize and dispose of the stock by way of sale or otherwise.
"The costs of doing this are taken from the proceeds of the sale of the animals," she said.
"The owner or person in charge receives the balance of the proceeds of sale (set out in Part 2B of the POCTA Act)."
Panels must consist of representatives from an enforcement agency (such as RSPCA NSW or NSW Police), Local Land Services, NSW DPI and usually include a NSW Farmers representative. Ms Schaffer said the LLS and NSW DPI rep must have animal welfare or stock management expertise and the panel may also include a private veterinarian if the LLS rep was not a vet.
Journalist based on the Mid North Coast for The Land.
Journalist based on the Mid North Coast for The Land.
