Mandatory Branding of Cattle: A Controversy in Australia

Queensland and the Northern Territory stand alone in Australia as the only jurisdictions where cattle branding is still mandatory. Industry groups, however, advocate for the retention of this practice, despite recent changes in other states.

In 2022, Western Australia moved to make branding optional, aligning itself with the majority of other states. In contrast, cattle producers in Queensland and the Northern Territory face potential legal consequences for failing to brand their cattle.

In Queensland, failure to brand cattle weighing over 100kg can result in a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment. Despite the Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) suggesting on its website that branding is not the preferred method of livestock identification due to animal welfare concerns, it remains a legal requirement.

Industry Support for Mandatory Branding

AgForce, a representative group for Queensland’s cattle producers, strongly advocates for the continuation of mandatory branding. In 2023, the previous Queensland government consulted on whether to maintain the existing laws or allow producers to opt-in or out of branding. However, the findings of this investigation have not been published, and the laws remain unchanged.

Queensland: All cattle weighing over 100 kg must be branded before sale. The brand needs to be registered, with certain exemptions existing for registered stud cattle sold at approved sales or cattle brought in from other states and processed accordingly. The only temporary reprieve from this legislation occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, but such exemptions ended in June 2023.

AgForce Cattle Board President, Lloyd Hick

According to AgForce Cattle Board President, Lloyd Hick, “Branding must remain a legal and industry-supported practice to safeguard traceability, ownership, and biosecurity in Queensland’s cattle industry.” He emphasized that it is a reliable method for identifying livestock, particularly during natural disasters.

Review of the Brands Act

A spokesperson from the Queensland Department of Primary Industries confirmed that a review of the Brands Act 1915 is underway. “Any potential changes to the State’s branding and earmarking legislation will be made in consultation with stakeholders,” the spokesperson elaborated. The department is also creating a streamlined IT system for handling brands and earmarks, expected to launch later this year.

Northern Territory’s Stance

In the Northern Territory, branding is also mandatory whenever cattle are sold or moved off property. Producers must adhere to a three-letter branding system, incorporating the letter T, and ensure that the brand is registered to their property.

The Northern Territory Cattleman’s Association supports keeping branding mandatory, with CEO Romy Carey stating, “Branding is the only form of permanent identification suited to the extensive, remote production systems where pastoralists manage vast areas of land.”

Status of Branding in Other States

Other states have transitioned away from mandatory branding:

• Western Australia: Branding became optional in January 2022, although producers can still choose to brand voluntarily.
• South Australia: Branding is not compulsory but must be registered if used.
• New South Wales: Branding is not compulsory; however, it must be registered if utilized.
• Australian Capital Territory: Similar to New South Wales, branding is not mandatory.
• Victoria: Branding is not encouraged due to the availability of less painful alternatives, and there is no official brand register.
• Tasmania: Branding is also not compulsory, yet must be registered if exercised.

As discussions continue around branding practices, the dialogue between the industry, government, and stakeholders will play a crucial role in shaping the future of cattle identification in Australia.