Poultry owners and community members are invited to provide feedback on a proposal to enhance the traceability of poultry in Western Australia.
The proposal will require owners of poultry and poultry abattoirs to register with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and obtain a property identification code (PIC) for each property on which they keep birds.
DPIRD Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Peter Gray said effective livestock traceability systems were essential to WA’s ability to respond to disease outbreaks, to manage food safety and to support our ongoing access to markets.
“WA already requires owners of livestock (such as cattle, sheep, goats, pigs) to register and obtain a property identification code for where their animals are kept,” Dr Gray said.
“Mandatory registration of owners of poultry will allow DPIRD to identify and maintain a formal register of properties where birds are kept.
“This information assists in protecting the sector from serious diseases such as avian influenza, food safety and biosecurity risks, and ensures DPIRD is able to quickly communicate information to these stakeholders.
“This proposal will also harmonise our traceability arrangements for the WA poultry sector with other Australian jurisdictions.”
Dr Gray said the proposed requirement had been designed so that it would not impact backyard chicken owners or hobby owners.
“The proposal applies to owners of chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, quail, pheasants, partridges, emus, ostriches, domesticated pigeons (such as those kept for racing, breeding, exhibition or competition) and poultry abattoirs,” he said.
“However, mandatory registration will only apply to owners who have 50 or more poultry, or 10 or more emus/ostriches, and to all owners who sell bird meat or eggs.”
To find out more about the proposal and to have your say, visit the DPIRD consultation website at https://talkingbiosecurity.dpird.wa.gov.au/traceability-of-commercial-poultry-in-wa.
The consultation period will run for four weeks from 3 September until 5pm AWST on 1 October 2020.
Media contact:
Jodie Thomson, media liaison +61 (0)8 9368 3937