The Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries is working closely with the Department of Mines and Energy and the Northern Territory cattle industry after three mine sites across the Territory were found to have cattle on them.

The Northern Territory’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Malcolm Anderson from the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries (DPIF) said the Northern Territory Government takes the NT’s reputation as a producer of clean, safe food extremely seriously.

“In the last 12 months our department has been notified by the Department of Mines and Energy of three mine sites located in the Roper Gulf and Barkly regions that cattle may be able to access. We are not able to name the properties or mining leases for legal reasons.

In response, prompt action was taken to isolate the cattle and test them to ensure there was no risk to public health. All three notifications have been investigated and all the meat was normal except one animal from the Roper Gulf region which showed a low grade lead detection in its offal.

“This detection of slightly elevated levels of lead in the offal of one animal does not pose an immediate public health issue. The lead contamination only affects humans after prolonged exposure to eating high levels of lead over a long time. 

“To ensure public health and to protect the livestock export industry we took extensive measures and all those cattle within a 100 square kilometre radius were quarantined for a period of 12 months, with no access to local or export markets. Those that could not be mustered out were destroyed on site.”

Dr Anderson said the department is continuing to work with the landholder regarding this incident to monitor the site.

“The cattle tested on the other two sites that tested negative are in the process of being permanently excluded as a precautionary measure.

“We took these notifications very seriously and our timely response ensured that no animals that could have been exposed to contaminants entered the domestic food supply chain or the export supply chain.”

Dr Anderson said it was vital to spread the message that pastoralists and miners must take all necessary precautions to ensure livestock do not enter mining areas.

“With so much mining activity in the NT, the possibility exists of future detections of cattle grazing on mine sites, as some sites may be contaminated.

“Because we take food safety so seriously, we’re taking a pro-active approach and we are forming a working group with the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association and the Department of Mines and Energy to help ensure cattle producers and mine title holders work together to ensure cattle cannot access mine sites and can help protect food safety standards. 

“This working group will provide an invaluable forum between all parties to ensure we’re got the best management practices in place now and into the future.”

Dr Anderson said cattle producers who are best placed to know their land can play a vital role in protecting our domestic and export cattle industry from environmental contamination.

Dr Malcolm Anderson will be available for interview

2:45pm today

Friday 21 August 2015

at the cattle yards

Berrimah Farm

For further information please contact:

          DPIF Media & Communications on 0419 106 309.