Changes to the Livestock Act 2008

From early April 2024, new biosecurity laws will apply to the livestock and agricultural industries in the Northern Territory (NT).

The changes will help provide better responses to animal disease and pest threats.

Summary of changes

The changes will:

• 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.

Contact

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