Nathan Gibbon, Kristian Bingham and Peter Armstrong fined in Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court

A Pakenham livestock agent and two farmers have been fined more than $35,000 combined after pleading guilty to a series of animal traceability offences.

A Gippsland livestock agent has been convicted and fined after pleading guilty to a series of animal traceability offences in the Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court.

Nathan Gibbon, an agent at Pakenham and the director of Clayton Hill Pty Ltd, pleaded guilty to a number of charges at Latrobe Valley Online Magistrates court on March 16.

This included the use of disbanded property identification codes, failing to properly record livestock movement information, not keeping copies of National Vendor Declarations and failing to produce documents.

Mr Gibbon was convicted and fined $20,300 plus additional costs of $220.80. Clayton Hill Pty Ltd, was also fined $1100.00 without conviction.

In delivering her sentence, Magistrate Belinda Wallington said Mr Gibbon’s offences were a systematic and deliberate attempt to break the law.

Gippsland farmers Kristian Bingham from Warragul, and Peter Armstrong from Darnum, also pleaded guilty to a series of charges after misusing National Livestock Identification System ear tags.

Mr Armstrong was convicted and fined $6300 plus costs of $494.00, while Mr Bingham was fined $7000 without conviction plus costs of $198.06.

The Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association, Australian Meat Industry Council and Australian Livestock Exporters Council submitted statements which highlighted how the defendants’ actions could cause ramifications across the entire livestock supply chain. The NLIS is Australia’s system for identifying and tracking cattle, buffalo and bison for disease control, food safety and market access purposes.

It uses an electronic ear tag or device, marking each animal with its own, individual identification number.

Agriculture Victoria animal health and welfare program manager Daniel Bode said a departmental investigation detected the offending.

Mr Bode said he wanted the convictions to serve as a reminder to the Victorian community to take biosecurity seriously.

“The vast majority of Victorian producers do an excellent job helping to ensure a strong biosecurity system is maintained,” he said.

“A strong biosecurity system not only protects our agriculture sector, but also our environment, biodiversity, cultural heritage, economy and way of life.”