Cattle imported into WA may present a risk of introducing seeds of weeds which may have significant environmental and economic impacts. To mitigate this risk, cattle imported from the NT are inspected for burrs and seeds at the department's inspection point at Kununurra and the truck transporting the cattle is washed down before undertaking further movement in WA.
The distances travelled when importing cattle from the NT into the Kimberley can be long and the requirement to present cattle for inspection at Kununurra can add travel distance to the journey. In certain circumstances where eligibility criteria are met, the department may approve the importation of cattle from defined areas in the NT to defined areas in WA without an inspection at the Kununurra inspection point.
To authorise these movements, department staff will assess the WA party's application, and if it's approved, the department will issue either:
- an import permit, or
- an inspector’s direction notice (for cattle transiting WA, when moving from a property in the NT-defined region to a property in the NT-defined region).
Criteria for application for exemption of imported cattle inspection at Kununurra (from properties in defined NT and WA regions)
The WA party intending to move cattle from properties in defined regions in the NT to properties in defined regions of WA may be eligible to apply for an exemption from presenting the cattle to the Kununurra inspection point if the two regions have a similar weed risk profile.
Cattle must meet all other published import requirements for movement into WA.
Defined regions in the NT are properties in the Victoria River district and Tanami Desert.
Defined regions in WA are properties east of the Great Northern Highway and north of the Duncan Road in the shires of Halls Creek and Wyndham/East Kimberley (and properties intersected by these roads).
The criteria below relate to a scenario where cattle are being moved from properties in the defined region of the NT to properties in defined regions of WA.
- Cattle must have been born and resided on an approved property in the NT defined region.
- Eligibility for this direct movement applies only to the importation of cattle owned and managed by the WA consignee property and must not be used for cattle owned and managed by third parties in WA.
The criteria below relate to a scenario where cattle are being moved from properties in the defined region of NT to WA for immediate export via Wyndham or to a Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) export registered premise in the WA defined region for preparation for export via Wyndham.
- Cattle must have been grazed on properties within the NT defined region for no less than 8 days before movement into WA. A National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) upload demonstrating this is required.
- The WA destination used to prepare livestock for export must be a DAFF export registered premise.
- Upon receival in WA, imported cattle must be held separately from other cattle held at the WA destination property at the same time.
- Cattle must depart the WA DAFF export registered premise for Wyndham Port within 10 days of arrival.
The criteria below relate to a scenario where cattle are transiting through WA when moving from a property in the NT defined region and immediately returning to the NT (for example, NT properties adjacent to the WA border).
- All movements through WA must be recorded and a quarterly report provided to DPIRD Quarantine Western Australia (livestockkununurra@dpird.wa.gov.au).
- The approved party must advise DPIRD Quarantine Western Australia if the transport route differs from the proposed in the application form.
Application and movement notification process for exemption of imported cattle inspection at Kununurra (from properties in defined NT and WA regions)
Step 1
Applicants should complete and submit the Application for Import Permit and provide the completed form to the department via email livestockbiosecurity@dpird.wa.gov.au
- The properties of origin and destination are assessed on information within the application form.
- An individual application is required for each WA destination property. The application may refer to multiple properties of origin within the NT defined region.
- Any changes in circumstances or addition of potential properties must be included in a revised application to the department.
Step 2
The department provides parties that are approved with an import permit that enables direct transportation from the NT to WA defined regions and from and to approved properties.
- The import permit specifies the conditions for the direct movement to a WA property.
- The import permit is valid for 24 months from approval. Re-application is required 3 months prior to the expiry of the permit.
Step 3
Prior to transporting each consignment of cattle into WA, parties who are approved and receive an import permit must email the following items to the department at livestockkununurra@dpird.wa.gov.au
- Movement Notification Form
- Import permit
- LB1 Health certificate for movement of cattle into WA
- National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) upload for all cattle in the consignment. For cattle being imported for export, a National Livestock Identification System upload must be provided demonstrating all cattle in the consignment have resided on a property in the defined region of the NT for no less than 8 days, prior to movement into WA.
Note:
- Please provide the notification of intent to import to the department with at least 3 business days’ notice. Failure to provide this notification may result in the import permit being revoked and/or future consignments of cattle being directed to Kununurra yards for inspection as per the BAM Act requirements.
- The department confirmation of the receipt and approval of the notification must be provided prior to the cattle entering WA.
Step 4
Cattle are imported directly to the WA destination property.
- The truck must depart WA immediately, or if further operation within WA is required, the truck must proceed directly to the Kununurra inspection point washdown facility.
The department reserves the ability to rescind the import permit in response to a biosecurity incident, or amended risk profile in the jurisdiction of origin, or due to non-compliance with the import permit and/or WA legislative requirements.
Properties not located in the defined NT and WA regions: application process for exemption of imported cattle inspection at Kununurra
Parties wishing to import cattle from or to properties outside of these defined regions may submit an Application for Import Permit.
However, as these movements are outside of the eligibility criteria, they will require an individual risk assessment that will require significant documentary evidence from the applicant and will be cost-recovered under the department’s fees and services.
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Livestock biosecurity