Cattle under movement control not to be moved without permit

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 15, 9 September 1986, Page 19

Cattle under movement control not to be moved without permit

This article was written for the Bulletin by Murray Officer, the MAF's livestock officer based in Taumarunui.

Cattle from movementcontrolled herds found in saleyards without permits to leave the farm could be sent home in the future. At recent cattle saies many lines of stock under movement control have been detected in the yards without permits. All owners of stock who carry out this practice are committing an offence under Section 53A of the Animals Act 1967, and are liable on summary conviction to a fine of up to $1000 and $50 per day for each day it continues. In the past, livestock officers of the Animal Health Division of MAF have written out permits at the sale. However, this entails obtaining relevant details from computer files to ensure the cattle are within the 60-day test period laid down in the Act.

While this is being done, many other essential tasks of the livestock officer have to go by the board. Amongst these tasks is the comparing of similar non-movement controlled lines for the valuation purposes of discounting. Some of the reasons given by farmers for nonnotification are: • They forget; • They made a quick decision to sell; • They didn't think it was necessary; • They didn't understand the requirements; • The didn't know they had to; • They couldn't be bothered. These reasons are often used one way or another, but won't protect cjjjmers from the legal processes set out in the Animals Act 1967, it's amendments and regulations. The conditions applying

to a movement-controlled herd are set out on the back of the notice which is delivered to every owner whose herd is placed on movement control. The owner is handed the notice and any points that require clarification are then discussed. The owner signs a copy to show he has received it. This is also deemed to show that he is aware of the conditions imposed on his herd and the consequential responsibilities he is placed under. Theage-old idiom'Mgnorance is no excuse under the law", applies. The onus is on the owner to ensure his herd has a current TB test (within 60 days of movement), before it is moved off his farm. He is also required to give at least 21 days prior notification of movement to allow MAF to do the necessary pre-movement testing. In cases where the owner makes a quick decision to offer his stock for sale, and they are within the 60-day test period, MAF have always accepted a telephone call as being notification, providing the necessary details are given. However, at least 24 hours notice should be given to allow MAF to check the current herd status andprepare the necessary permits for the animals. The only cattle under

movement control that don't require testing prior to movement off the farm are those going directly to slaughter. These animals still require a permit though, before they're moved off the farm. Cattle going to sale from a movement controlled herd which has passed a test without any reactors being detected in the mob, don't require white tags in their ears. However, they are still subject to the Movement Controlled Herd Notice and must have a permit to leave the farm. Future trends in administration of the movementcontrolled herd policy could have some startling, even devastating effects on farmers who don't give prior notification of cattle being sent into public saleyards. Owners who do so could have their cattle withdrawn from sale and returned home. A double cartage bill and a Fine coupled to present low cattle prices is the last thing any farmer needs. In order to protect their livelihood and farming operation, farmers whose herds are on movement control should ensure they have a permit for all cattle that leave their farms - whether for sale, grazing or slaughter. If farmers have any doubts, or queries, about their animals requiring a permit, then a telephone call to MAF will clear it up.