Friday, 09 January 2015 15:27

Rise in wandering stock numbers

Written by Pamela Tipa

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

THE NEW Zealand Transport Agency is reminding Canterbury rural property owners of their responsibility to adequately fence their properties to contain livestock after a significant rise in reports of wandering stock.

There have been 36 reports of wandering stock since December 24, which the Transport Agency's journey manager Lee Wright says poses a serious safety risk to all road users, not only on the state highway network, but also on local roads.

The highest number of wandering stock reports have been on State Highway 1 in North Canterbury and State Highway 75, in particular from Little River to Akaroa.

"When farm animals are wandering on highways, they present a significant hazard for anyone travelling through the area and there is the potential for serious injury, and even fatal, crashes to happen as a result.

"The Transport Agency is reminding rural property owners that they are liable for any damage caused by their wandering stock and if wandering stock cause a crash and negligence is proven, the livestock owner may be prosecuted."

Wright says property and livestock owners need to be aware they have responsibilities under three pieces of legislation – the Crimes Act 1961, the Animal Law reform Act 1989 and the Impounding Act 1955.

"It is important property and livestock owners are aware of their responsibilities under the acts and take relevant measures to ensure their farm animals remain adequately fenced in."

Motorists are asked to report any wandering stock by phoning 0800 4 HIGHWAYS.

More like this

Editorial: Right call

OPINION: Public pressure has led to Canterbury Police rightly rolling back its proposed restructure that would have seen several rural police stations closed in favour of centralised hubs.

Follow the police beat

OPINION: Politicians and Wellington bureaucrats should take a leaf out of the book of Canterbury District Police Commander Superintendent Tony Hill.

Fencing smarts from the Emerald Isle

While a leading New Zealand brand seems to have a stranglehold on the local electric fencing market, a company from the Green Isle seems to be making significant inroads, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere.

Editorial: Time for common sense

OPINION: The case of four Canterbury high country stations facing costly and complex consent hearing processes highlights the dilemma facing the farming sector as the country transitions into a replacement for the Resource Management Act (RMA).

Canterbury farmer saves time with spreader upgrade

With a focus on producing their own on-farm dairy feed requirements, it would be safe to say that the Fleming family are no strangers to a fertiliser spreader on their North Canterbury farm, near Culverden.

Featured

Early drought fears ease in Hawke’s Bay, but caution remains

Fears of a serious early drought in Hawke’s Bay have been allayed – for the moment at least.

Consent Rollovers and $13b Savings: What the new RMA bills could mean

There was much theatre in the Beehive before the Government's new Resource Management Act (RMA) reform bills were introduced into Parliament last week.

Will big be better?

The government has unveiled yet another move which it claims will unlock the potential of the country’s cities and region.

Primary sector future hailed

The government is hailing the news that food and fibre exports are predicted to reach a record $62 billion in the next year.

Glut in global milk supply keeping prices down

The final Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction has delivered bad news for dairy farmers.

Farmers and industry leaders respond to new RMA replacement legislation

One person intimately involved in the new legislation to replace the Resource Management Act (RMA) is the outgoing chief executive of the Ministry for the Environment, James Palmer, who's also worked in local government.