Corey Burgess: Chemicals found on Merbein sheep shearer’s property

Nasty, illegal chemicals have landed a Merbein farmer in hot water. But it was the death of a neighbour’s dog that prompted the find.

A Merbein man has pleaded guilty to charges of storing and using chemical products contrary to the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1992.

The death of a neighbour’s dog has led to a sheep shearer in northwest Victoria facing the music over storing products he wasn’t meant to have.

Merbein man Corey Burgess, 44, appeared at Mildura Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, where he pleaded guilty to charges of storing and using chemical products contrary to the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1992.

A prosecutor said Agriculture Victoria officials searched Burgess’ sheep shearing operation on June 3, 2020.

The court heard wild dog bait, containing sodium fluoroacetate, known as “1080”, was found on the property partially empty.

Burgess did not hold a licence for the product.

The court was told an insecticide tablet was found incorrectly stored and Fumitoxin insecticide tablets had been used during 2019 without a licence.

The prosecutor said Burgess also failed to keep written records within 48 hours of using the Fumitoxin and another product, Cydectin Oral Drench for Sheep.

Investigators searched the property after the death of a neighbour’s dog, Dingo.

The prosecutor said Agriculture Victoria staff received a report that Dingo’s death was a suspected poisoning.

The court was told an analysis of Dingo’s vomit found 1080.

There was no suggestion Burgess, or the chemicals on his property, were linked to Dingo’s death.

The prosecutor said any reference to the dog was to inform the court of how investigators came to be searching neighbouring properties.

Burgess told investigators the bait had been “unintentionally obtained” and there was “no way” he would use bait anywhere near the property.

The man’s lawyer said in his operation, Burgess shears 560,000 sheep and was “flat out” last year during COVID because of the lack of external shearers.

The lawyer said Burgess travelled for work and would often go out with sheep farmer clients while they did their baiting programs, which is how he took possession of the bait.

References submitted to the court showed poor agriculture practices were “out of character” for Burgess, the lawyer said.

Magistrate Hugh Radford said the maximum penalty for the charges was about $45,000.

Mr Radford said Burgess had co-operated with investigators and had a low likelihood of reoffending.

Mr Radford said his penalty was a general warning to farmers to operate within the rules and regulations.

Burgess was fined $4000 and ordered to pay costs.

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