Rules for fencing ostrich, alpaca and llama to be relaxed

25/7/94

The increasing number of Western Australian farmers diversifying into the farming of ostrich, alpaca and llama were given some encouragement today with an announcement by Primary Industry Minister Monty House that fencing regulations for the animals would be relaxed.

The Minister said he had approved changes to Agriculture Protection Board regulations which had come about following a review of regulations for the keeping of exotic animals.

The Minister said restrictions on the fencing and movement of ostrich would be lifted immediately and that similar restrictions on alpaca and llama farming would be removed when legislative amendments came into force later this year requiring the animals to be branded.

"A number of farmers expressed concern to me that the regulations set down by the APB for boundary fencing for these exotic animals appeared overly restrictive given that more relaxed rules applied in the Eastern States," Mr House said.

"Ostrich, alpaca and llama had been farmed successfully in other parts of the world and there is little chance that the animals would become feral if they escaped in Western Australia."

The Minister said ostrich farming was a rapidly expanding industry with about 120 properties in Western Australia permitted to farm the birds. There were almost 60 properties approved to carry alpaca and llama.

"These new industries will be expected to regulate themselves, maintaining adequate boundary fencing so that the animals (ostrich in particular) are not a danger to the public," he said.

"It will be the responsibility of the owners to recapture or destroy any animals that escape and if APB staff are involved, the cost of the operation will be charged to the animals' owners."

The Minister said fencing standards for deer would be maintained because of a number of recent escapes.

Mr House said deer had the potential to establish in the wild and feral deer had shown they could cause serious environmental damage in other states.

However, Mr House said when the amendments to the Stock Brands and Movements Act became law later this year it would no longer be necessary for deer farmers to obtain a permit to move stock.

There would be no change to the regulations controlling the keeping of rabbits and game birds.

Media contact:  Will Henwood 481 2044 or 222 9595