Duffers law beefed up

CATTLE duffers face bigger fines while magistrates have wider powers under new Queensland laws to crack down on cattle stealing.
With annual losses running into millions of dollars, the changes introduced by the Newman government have been welcomed by peak rural body AgForce.
Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie said the government was throwing the book at stock thieves.
“The minimum fines for a range of stock offences will now be increased from $200 to $1100 per animal or the value of the animal, whichever is the higher amount,” Mr Bleijie said.
Other amendments to the legislation will empower police to effectively investigate stock crime by extending stock-related search warrant durations from seven to 21 days and will streamline the disposal process where there is a dispute as to ownership.
The stock in question will be able to be sold pending an order from the courts to distribute the funds at the conclusion of proceedings.
“Under the new laws, the court can order the return of cattle when stock has strayed onto a person’s property and the land owner refuses to move the cattle,” Bleijie said.
AgForce welcomed the changes, with their Cattle President, Howard Smith, saying the amendments had been strongly advocated by the organisation since its inception.
“AgForce is consistently looking at ways to improve farm and livestock security and the effectiveness of the Stock Squad and we see these changes as a positive for agriculture and the livestock industries,” Mr Smith said.
“We welcome the Government’s moves to take a harder line on stock crimes and to give more power to law enforcement to convict perpetrators and protect stock owners.”