A Mia Mia farmer pleaded guilty to 7 animal welfare and traceability offences recently at Kyneton Magistrates' Court.
Michael Pryor, an absentee owner and person in charge of a small herd, pleaded guilty to charges which occurred between January 2024 and September 2024.
The charges sit under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986, Livestock Disease Control Act 1994 and Livestock Disease Control Regulations 2017.
Agriculture Victoria animal health and welfare compliance manager Daniel Bode said Mr Pryor was sentenced without conviction and fined an aggregate amount in the sum of $7,000 with an order to pay $454.74 in costs.
Agriculture Victoria officers responded to a complaint at a property in Mia Mia on which cattle owned by Mr Pryor were being kept.
'Of a herd of 12 cattle, the majority were suffering from extremely low body condition,' Mr Bode said.
Agriculture Victoria officers also found a cow with her leg caught in a wire fence. It had been recumbent for at least 48 hours and was euthanised to prevent further pain and suffering.
Through further investigation it was found there were National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) breaches.
These breaches involved a failure to sign or provide national vendor declarations, moving livestock not appropriately identified by way of an NLIS device, failing to apply for a property identification code and failing to provide information about the movement of livestock.
Mr Bode said the NLIS is Australia's system for identifying and tracking livestock for disease control, food safety and market access purposes.
'An effective traceability system is critical to protecting Victoria from biosecurity risks and ensuring access to international markets,' Mr Bode said.
