Shadow Minister for Primary Industries and Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison has urged bushfire affected landholders, with concerns about their animals and livestock, to reach out for assistance through the NSW Government’s Agricultural Services Hotline on 1800 814 647.
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and Local Land Services officers are assisting landholders in northern NSW to manage animal welfare-related issues, which include:
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Emergency fodder and stock water
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Animal assessment and veterinary assistance
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Stock euthanasia and burial
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Livestock feeding and management advice
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Care of animals in evacuation centres.
With bush fire conditions expected peak today, Ms Aitchison said local landholders should prepare a plan to manage livestock and animals as soon as possible.
“There’s a range of measures available and I encourage landholders to prepare now and act early,” Ms Aitchison said.
“As fires continue to burn across the region, it’s difficult to assess the current damage.”
“Unfortunately, infrastructure and stock losses are expected to grow over the coming days.”
Landholders are being encouraged to prepare before an emergency by:
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Knowing the risk to you, your animals and property
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Knowing where to go
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Knowing who to call
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Knowing your plan
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Have an emergency kit for you and your animals.
During an emergency, landholders should:
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Act early
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Relocate animals and assets to a safer place on/off property
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If you are required to evacuate and if possible take your animals with you
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Never drive, ride or walk through an active fire zone
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Report wildlife injuries.
Stay up to date on bush fires in your area through the RFS website and the ‘Fires Near Me’ app.
