Farmers left to carry the burden as biosecurity program falls short

Shadow Minister for Agriculture Brendan Moylan is urging the NSW government to start supporting farmers and properly fund the cattle tick program with operators being left to shoulder the costs of controlling the spread of the parasite.

Mr Moylan has received numerous messages from cattle producers saying the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development have failed to respond to their reimbursement requests following treatment and tick control measures.

“Producers are required to undertake extensive treatment programs, comply with movement restrictions, and meet with regulatory requirements but are being left to bear the brunt of the financial costs associated with these measures,” Mr Moylan said.

“At the same time, they are being made to work twice as hard to protect unaffected stock and neighbouring properties, report any detection of ticks to the department within one day, follow the treatment protocols, submit records within five days and meet supplier payment terms on time.

“But there’s no reciprocal accountability from the department.

“Farmers are doing their part but the NSW Government and the DPIRD are failing to do theirs.

“The current system is obviously not working and our cattle producers are being left out of pocket.

“The Minns Labor Government needs to step up and fund the tick program properly and ensure our cattle producers are being treated with the same level of respect of what is being asked of them.”

Last week, Leader of the NSW Nationals and Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh, Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan, Member for Clarence Richie Williamson, Member for Tweed Geoff Provest launched a community petition which highlights growing concerns from cattle producers about the increasing cost of compliance and the impact ticks are having on farming operations.

They have asked the affected communities to sign the petition: Cattle Tick – Sign The Petition – NSW Nationals