NSW Government DPI lease on its existing cattle tick inspection & treatment facility at Kirra in South East Queensland is currently suspended - Saffin calls for facility to remain in operation and a long-term plan to be developed to protect North Coast cattle industry

 

MICK VEITCH MLC
SHADOW MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR REGIONAL NSW

JANELLE SAFFIN MP
MEMBER FOR LISMORE

NSW LABOR CALL FOR ADVISORY GROUP ON NORTH COAST TICK FACILITY

NSW Labor are calling for a regional stakeholder advisory group to be urgently formed to help develop a path forward to tackle the threat of cattle tick infestation on NSW North Coast farms.

NSW Shadow Minister for Agriculture Mick Veitch and Lismore MP Janelle Saffin are making this joint call as the NSW Government lease on the existing tick facility at Kirra in South East Queensland is currently suspended.

Mr Veitch and Ms Saffin insist until a long-term plan is agreed upon by the government to mitigate this issue, the Kirra facility must remain open and operational.

The State’s successful cattle tick program was established in 1920 in recognition of the grave threat of tick infestation for the NSW cattle industry. To not have a current management plan in place neglects the needs of many farmers on the NSW North Coast.

Mr Veitch said, “The NSW Government’s consultation on this has been woeful.

“NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall needs to step in and sort out a long-term solution to an issue which puts many local farmers’ livelihoods at risk.

Ms Saffin, who has been in close consultation with Tweed Shire graziers’ regarding their concerns said, “The Government’s priority must be ensuring the community that our multi-million-dollar cattle industry is protected from threats such as this”

DATE: WEDNESDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 2021