The 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Pastoralists’ Association of West Darling (PAWD) drew over 50 attendees, who agreed further education and support were necessary in the area of electronic livestock tagging.
Funding pledged by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has been slow to reach pastoralists due to the recent governmental transition, said some delegates.
PAWD have decided to proceed with a consultation phase on a new constitution over the coming months.
Terry Smith, PAWD President, told the Truth, “the Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty, has stated that biosecurity is the department’s foremost concern. Hence, we’re keen to see what will ensue.”
Mr Smith also addressed inquiries about the interaction between farm biosecurity plans and mineral exploration and fossicking rights, along with the priority of related legislation.
The audience warmly welcomed John Falkenhagen’s presentation from the Goat Industry Council of Australia (GICA).
Mr Smith said, “he reassured that those not tagging goats under the current Livestock Producers Authority (LPA) and National Vendor Declaration (NVD) requirements won’t need to under the EID system for wild harvested rangeland goats, as the existing definition won’t change. However, producers of such goats will soon need LPA accreditation to move goats without tags.”
Brooke Anderson, the Biosecurity Officer for Western Local Land Services (LLS), presented a report on the thousands of feral pigs that the LLS has culled in the far West this year.
PAWD also urged pastoralists to verify their eligibility for the NSW government’s Special Disaster Grant of up to $70,000 or the Rural Landholders grant, with applications closing on June 30.
For additional information about the Rural Assistance Authority, visit: raa.nsw.gov.au
