Changes to the Livestock Act 2008

From 30 April 2024, new biosecurity laws for livestock and agricultural industries in the NT came into place.

Further amendments to the Act are also currently being proposed.

Summary of changes from 30 April 2024

The changes:

give the minister and chief livestock inspector powers to respond quickly and effectively to emergency diseases
simplify the process of appointing police officers as livestock inspectors during an outbreak
introduce voluntary biosecurity management plans for properties, including rules for signage
require statutory notices for certain actions - for example, a 14-day notice period to retrieve stray animals from a nearby property where the parties cannot agree
allow the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal to review decisions made under the Act
provide a streamlined appointment of NT Police officers during an emergency disease event
update the biosecurity regulatory framework for honey bees and beehive registration
allow the update penalty offences so they are appropriate and fair, in line with part IIAA of the Criminal Code
amend the Trespass Act 2023 to provide more circumstances of aggravated offences, specifically for properties involved in primary production.

The proposed changes will:

further strengthen and align the NT nationally to biosecurity regulation for keeping and moving bees (and beehives)
move towards a modern biosecurity regulatory approach to pigs and the feeding of prohibited food (swill)
modernise and nationally align the NT with the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) to ensure the NT has modern electronic movement, tracing, and reporting requirements for cattle, buffalo, sheep, and goats
review and amend the land transport standards and guidelines to ensure national compliance with the Australian animal welfare standards and guidelines.

For more information, email livestock.daf@nt.gov.au.

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