Livestock agent Andrew Wilson fined for traceability offences

A Victorian court has fined a livestock agent for losing the lifetime traceability for a total of 61 animals.

A livestock agent was been fined $2500 by a southwest Victorian court after actions that resulted in losing the lifetime traceability of more than 60 animals.

In a recent appearance at Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court, livestock agent Andrew Wilson pleaded guilty to four charges for traceability offences under the Livestock Disease Control Regulations 2017.

Mr Wilson was sentenced to an aggregate fine of $2500 with conviction as well as an order for costs of $341.79.

The magistrate considered Mr Wilson’s prior convictions for related offending in 2017 and 2021, his plea of guilty and actions taken to prevent further offending.

The magistrate also commented that general deterrence was necessary to send a message.

Agriculture Victoria compliance manager Daniel Bode said on four occasions in October and

November 2023, Mr Wilson sent cattle to a Tongala abattoir without recording or forwarding the property identification code prior to their dispatch.

“This resulted in the loss of lifetime traceability for a total of 61 animals,” he said.

Mr Bode said the National Livestock Identification System was Australia’s system for identifying and tracking cattle for disease control, food safety and market access purposes.

“An effective traceability system is critical to protecting Victoria from biosecurity risks and ensuring access to international markets,” he said.

“The NLIS provides information about a product’s journey from farm to the end consumer and enables prompt responses to food safety incidents, emergency animal diseases.

“The outcome of the matters brought before the court served as a strong reminder the Victorian community takes biosecurity seriously.”