Page 1842 - Week 05 - Thursday, 11 May 2017

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(6) Yellow box red gum grassy woodland is listed as a threatened ecological community in the ACT under the Nature Conservation Act 2014. The ecological community (with minor differences as to how it is described) is also listed under the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. An Action Plan for the community and associated species has been prepared by the Conservator of Flora and Fauna. The ACT Lowland Woodland Conservation Strategy (Action Plan 27) sets out how landholders, government and the community can help conserve lowland woodland and the species that depend on its habitats. This includes management of feral animal and weeds, strategic grazing, controlled burning and slashing, and revegetation.

Any proposed development that is likely to have a significant impact on this listed community must first go through an environmental impact statement process. Both the ACT and Commonwealth have policy guidelines in relation to the assessment of the community. The guidelines provide information about risks, conservation measures and how to determine if a significant impact is likely. Environmental offsets also apply under the ACT Environmental Offsets Policy and the EPBC Act Environmental Offsets Policy.

Conservation planning in relation to the community is informed by the ACT Lowland Woodland Conservation Strategy, which can be viewed on the website at www.environment.act.gov.au/cpr/conservation_and_ecological_communities/lowland_woodlands/woodlands_strategy

Animals—mobile slaughter units
(Question No 142)

Ms Le Couteur asked the Minister for Regulatory Services, upon notice, on 24 March 2017:

(1) What is the current ACT Government position on allowing mobile slaughter units (also known as mobile abattoirs) to operate the ACT.

(2) Does the ACT Government plan on permitting mobile slaughter units licensed in NSW to operate in the ACT.

(3) Would the ACT Government support a proposal by a farmers’ cooperative in the Capital Region or the ACT to establish their own mobile slaughter unit.

Mr Ramsay: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

(1) Undertaking commercial slaughtering of livestock for human consumption is considered a food business under the Food Act 2001; food businesses must comply with the requirements of the Food Act, including registration requirements and compliance with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. In addition, the activity of operating a mobile abattoir may require an environmental authorisation if the operation of the abattoir for the processing of the products of slaughtered animals (other than for the tanning of animal skins or fellmongery) is designed to process more than 3000kg of live animals per day.


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