Devastating flooding across NSW has had a major impact on landholders and livestock.
Floodwaters offer more danger to livestock than just drowning as animals access to food can be restricted while waters can also bring disease.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Local Land Services are working together as Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area (AASFA) to assist landholders and communities with animal welfare-related issues arising from the current flood emergency in NSW.
This includes the provision of emergency fodder, animal assessment and veterinary assistance, stock euthanasia and disposal, livestock feeding and management advice, and care of animals in evacuation centres.
With further heavy rainfall forecast, landholders and community members are urged to move their livestock to higher ground and consider evacuating animals where safe to do so.
In the Greater Sydney Area, Emergency Services manager Graham Wilson said staff where working to support with animal evacuations at the Castle Hill Showgrounds, Showground Rd, Castle Hill with other facilities on standby if required.
"Our officers are on site at these facilities to provide support," he said.
"However, the care of animals including adequate food and water supply as well as full supervision remains the responsibility of animal owners during their stay.
"We also ask you bring appropriate identification for your animals."
If you wish to register for assistance, for emergency fodder or livestock support please call the Agriculture and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647.
Landholders can also register damage and losses through the primary industries natural disaster damage survey, which is a simple online survey can use to record damage to primary production and animals from natural disasters such as floods, fires, and storms.
The damage survey allows you to, record the number of crops, animals, infrastructure, and other primary industries damaged in a single event, add photos to the assessment and see the severity of damage in your area.
Assistance is available for producers through the Rural Assistance Authority.
- Visit: www.raa.nsw.gov.au
