Visitors to the Balingup Small Farm Field Day on Saturday 6 April are invited to check out the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development displays on biosecurity.
Department biosecurity officers and a veterinary officer will be onsite to assist small landholders with their queries about animal health, livestock ownership and identification, and animal and plant pests.
Department veterinary officer Kevin Hepworth said owning pigs was often popular with small landholders.
“At Balingup, pig owners can pick up information about what to feed pigs to keep them healthy and how to prevent devastating diseases, such as African swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease, entering Australia,” Dr Hepworth said.
“Biosecurity officers Jack Nixon and Tracey Rainoldi will be on-hand to help animal owners with advice on how to register as an owner of livestock, how to identify their animals and record livestock movement on the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) database, as required, to ensure traceability for disease management.
“Even if you only own a small number of livestock that you may regard as pets, the department requires you to be registered as an owner to protect Western Australia’s biosecurity and traceability.
“If we had a disease outbreak, we need to know where susceptible animals are kept and how to contact the owners to inform them on what symptoms to look for and how to best protect their animals.”
Members of the department’s invasive species team will also be available to discuss local biosecurity issues, including pokeweed, feral pigs and invasive birds such as rainbow lorikeets and sparrows.
Landowners can also pick up information about the operation of Recognised Biosecurity Groups.
Department displays at Balingup Small Farm Field Day can be found at Goose Bend (G28) and at the intersection of Duck Walk and Pig Promenade.
Media contacts:
Jodie Thomson/Megan Broad, media liaison +61 (0)8 9368 3937