For further information please contact
|
|  Yüklə 0.57 Mb.
|
AIM 5: MANAGE COMMERCIAL OPERATORSIn order to ensure that viable populations of kangaroos are maintained throughout their ranges, the commercial kangaroo industry in South Australia is closely regulated by a range of licensing and tag procedures provided for under the NPW Act and Regulations. Permitting procedures are described in detail in Appendix 2. Under this management plan the commercial harvesting of kangaroos in South Australia is presently restricted to the Commercial Harvest Management Regions illustrated in Figure 1, and to red kangaroos (Macropus rufus), western grey kangaroos (M. fuliginosus) (not including the Kangaroo Island sub-species), and euros (M. robustus). ACTION 15: All relevant activities are permitted in accordance with the applicable South Australia legislation and DEWNR policy. All applications for permits relating to the South Australian commercial kangaroo industry operations are to be assessed, processed and issued in accordance with the provisions of the NPW Act and Regulation and relevant DEWNR policy. Performance indicator: 15.1 A sample of commercial kangaroo permits across South Australia are assessed twice per year to determine that they are processed and issued in accordance with South Australian legislation and DEWNR policy. ACTION 16: Permit conditions are effective and reflect current South Australia legislation, DEWNR policy and the South Australian Kangaroo Management Plan 2013 – 2017. To effectively and efficiently manage commercial kangaroo operations in South Australia, permit conditions must be effective and consistent with Commonwealth and South Australian legislation, DEWNR policy and the South Australian Kangaroo Management Plan 2013 – 2017. Accordingly, the standard permit conditions for each permit type will be reviewed, and where necessary amended, in response to changes in Commonwealth and South Australian legislation and/or DEWNR policy. The introduction of minimum carcass weights, consistent with regulation 37(1a) of the National Parks and Wildlife (Kangaroo Harvesting) Regulations 2003, is one such possible amendment. All proposed amendments to permit conditions will be assessed by DEWNR's legal representatives prior to implementation and permit holders will be advised of changes to their permit conditions in writing. Any changes to the conditions will need to be in accordance with this management plan and the Commonwealth will be notified of any significant changes. Performance indicators: 16.1 Permit conditions are reviewed at least annually and where necessary amended. 16.2 Permit holders are advised in writing of changes to permit conditions within one month of such changes being approved by the Kangaroo Management Program.
In order to ensure that the kangaroo harvest is humane, Kangaroo Field Processors are required to demonstrate their competency in relation to the Commercial Code prior to obtaining their permits. Accreditation includes holding a current Firearms Licence, having successfully completed an approved Kangaroo Field Processor’s Firearms Accuracy Accreditation course in South Australia (or another approved state), and having successfully completed the Game Meat Field Hygiene Course run by Biosecurity SA. DEWNR may require that kangaroo field processors undertake further training as a corrective action. All successful applicants for a Kangaroo Field Processor’s Permit have completed the approved accreditation. Performance indicators: 17.1 On receipt of Kangaroo Field Processor’s permit applications, the authorised DEWNR officer assessing the applications will ensure that applicants have both a valid South Australian Kangaroo Field Processor accreditation and a valid Firearms Licence (Class B5 or B7 or as directed by South Australian Police), and other licences and permits as required. 17.2 DEWNR will liaise with training providers to ensure that Kangaroo Field Processor training syllabus includes best practice methods on the humane destruction of joeys.
Continuing actions from South Australia’s 2008-2012 Kangaroo Conservation and Management Plan to review the sealed tag system will occur during the life of this plan. At the close of the last management plan, DEWNR was investigating the sale of sealed tags directly to the kangaroo field processor [A3]. This change was to be accompanied by other changes to the administration of sealed tags and industry returns. DEWNR will monitor technological developments in the area of tagging within commercial industries where location of harvest is recorded. This information can improve the knowledge of kangaroo populations and can enhance other monitoring techniques. This information could also enhance departmental knowledge more frequently when quota allocations are nearing full allocation. During the life of this plan, DEWNR will review and remake the Regulations. This review may recommend changes to the administration of harvesting, or to the species available for harvest. Performance indicators:
AIM 6: MONITOR INDUSTRY COMPLIANCEMonitoring commercial kangaroo industry compliance with the provisions of South Australian legislation, DEWNR policy, the goal and aims of the South Australia Commercial Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan 2013 - 2017 and permit conditions is essential to effectively maintaining viable populations of kangaroos throughout their ranges and to ensuring public confidence in the management of kangaroos in South Australia. ACTION 19: DEWNR staff will undertake both regular and opportunistic monitoring of compliance by commercial kangaroo industry operators. In order to assess industry compliance, authorised DEWNR officers will, on a regular and opportunistic basis, inspect kangaroo harvesting sites, kangaroos taken by Kangaroo Field Processors and all premises registered by Kangaroo Meat Processors and Skin Tanners. The inspecting officers will check to ensure the kangaroos have been taken in accordance with the NPW Act and Regulation, the South Australian Kangaroo Management Plan 2013 – 2017 and permit conditions. Assessments to ensure compliance with the current Commercial Code will be a priority. Biosecurity SA (Meat Hygiene) also undertakes checks of field chillers and processing plants for compliance with food and health policies. Biosecurity SA (Meat Hygiene) will report any observed breaches of permit conditions to DEWNR for further investigation. Likewise DEWNR officers will inform Biosecurity SA (Meat Hygiene) staff of suspected breaches of their legislation. DEWNR will develop a Memorandum of Understanding with Biosecurity SA (Meat Hygiene) to formalise these relationships. DEWNR will develop a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) in relation to inspection of carcass at processing plants registered for the export of meat products for human consumption that reflects the AQIS Meat Notice 2009/16 (or any subsequent notice that replaces it) and guidelines developed by DEWNR. Under this agreement, information pertaining to possible breaches of DEWNR permit conditions are reported by (DAFF) and, where appropriate, further investigated by DEWNR (or interstate agencies as appropriate). Performance indicators: 19.1 Chiller premises are inspected at least annually during the life of this plan by DEWNR staff and/or staff of Biosecurity SA to ensure compliance with South Australian legislation and permit conditions. Chiller premises that are registered but known to be non-operational may not require regular inspection. 19.2 All kangaroo processing works in South Australia are inspected at least every four months during the life of this plan by DEWNR staff and/or staff of Biosecurity SA to ensure compliance with South Australian legislation and permit conditions. 19.3 Memoranda of Understanding are developed with Biosecurity SA (Meat Hygiene) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry by the end of 2013.
Investigation and prosecution of activities in breach of the South Australian Kangaroo Management Plan 2013 – 2017 and South Australian legislation is essential for delivery of the plan. Good compliance also maintains public, industry and stakeholder confidence in the effectiveness of the plan as a mechanism for maintaining the viability of kangaroo populations, and thus the commercial kangaroo industry. Performance indicator: 20.1 Reports of unlicensed activities and activities in breach of permit conditions are investigated, and where sufficient evidence is available offenders are prosecuted and/or issued with Expiation Notices as appropriate. ACTION 21: The accuracy of industry returns will be continually monitored during the life of this plan. It is a permit condition that commercial kangaroo industry operators submit regular returns to DEWNR. The data obtained from these returns are essential for monitoring whether industry is harvesting kangaroos within approved quotas and for reporting to the Commonwealth Government, industry and the public. In addition, the data from industry returns are utilised in indirect monitoring of kangaroo populations. Performance indicator: 21.1 During the life of this plan, incoming industry returns are scrutinised and discrepancies are investigated and resolved where possible. Audits of industry returns encompass manual assessment of returns; application of the customised licensing database utilised by DEWNR (which includes numerous validation rules that assist in ensuring the integrity of data); and extensive verbal and written communication between DEWNR staff and industry operators.
A compliance database for use in kangaroo management investigations and inspections will be maintained for use by staff involved with kangaroo management. The database facilitates compliance reporting to the Commonwealth Government and other stakeholders, and easy access to information for relevant authorised DEWNR officers. Performance indicator: 22.1 Compliance records are maintained. Relevant compliance information is recorded and maintained, including reports of alleged breaches of the NPW Act and/or permit conditions, investigation activities undertaken and outcomes of investigations. Data input is accurate and timely.
|