Informationforprospective investors in donkey farming, processing and export of donkey productsin the Northern Territory
November 2015
The information in this guide is provided to help with business planning & strategies. We emphasise that it is only a guide, designed to aid prospective investors in seeking the required approvals for their development proposals. This list is not exhaustive and it is recommended that the proponents carry out their own due diligence. (All information was correct at the time of publishing)
General Information
NT agribusiness investment booklet
The self help guide to developing agricultural enterprises in the Northern Territory. Regularly updated, it explains to potential investors and the wider community which government agencies provide what types of information and the applications and approvals required to operate in the NT.
Source of Donkeys
In the Northern Territory donkeys are declared as feral species under section 47(1) of theTerritory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2006and therefore subject to control.
It is an offence under the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2006 to release feral animals back into the wild (Part IV, Division 5, Section 54), including husbanded donkeys.
Definition of a husbanded donkey:
‘Adequately controlled behind fencing and managed by providing feed and water; Donkeys may be branded for identification purposes’
- NT donkey population and density
NT 2006 donkey survey results - Commercial utilisation of feral animals in NT Parks and Reserves -
If you are interested in commercial harvesting of feral animals in NT Parks and Reserves please contact the Darwin office on +61889994558 or the Alice Springs head office on +61889518250 to arrange an appointment to discuss your proposal. - Feral donkeys in the NT
- Northern Land Council
- Central Land Council
- Livestock Identification - Brands in the Northern Territory Factsheet
(brands can be used on donkeys but it is not compulsory in the NT)
Farming Considerations
- Livestock Act NT
- NT Animal Welfare Act
- Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act NT (TPWC)
- Guidelines for donkey animal welfare
At a minimum, need to comply with NT Animal Welfare Act requirements - Donkey movement requirements
- Northern Territory Property Identification Codes (PICs) Agnote No. J93
- Cattle Tick – Explanatory notes, requirements & definitions
- Land Transport Standards (LTS) for Livestock
- Transport of Live Animals Standards
- Livestock Standards - Land Transport Standards Agnote No. J92
- Equine standards
- Equine Checklist for donkey movements
- Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) – A national guide to the selection of animals fit to transport. Is it fit to load?
- Moving horses (incl mules & donkeys) to the NT from interstate - NT health certificate & waybill
- Wild dog control
- Moving livestock from the Northern Territory to interstate
- Northern Territory of Australia Fire Arms Act
- Planning Act NT
Live Donkey Exports
Currently there is no protocol for the live export of donkeys to China, therefore this would need to be initiated by Chinese authorities and the process can take quite some time.
- Department of Agriculture & Water Resources (DAWR)
- Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL)
- Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS)
- Information required for ESCAS submissions
- Livestock exporter must hold a livestock export licence:
Obtaining a licence (Department of Agriculture and Water Resources)
The Export Process (Australian Livestock Exporters' Council) - Northern Territory Livestock Export Industry
- Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council
- Darwin Port – East Arm Wharf (NT cattle export port)
Land Procurement for Donkey Farming
- Freehold land for sale
Proponents can contact various real estate agents to see what is available on the open market. Real estate agents specialising in rural sales: Ruralco Property Agents / Elders Real Estate - NT Department of Lands, Planning and the Environment – Access to Crown Land
- Crown Land Act
- Department of Land Resource Management – Pastoral leases
Email:
General enquiries/Office of the Executive Director:
Telephone: 08 8999 4478 Facsimile: 08 8999 4403 - Pastoral Lands Act
- Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act
- Planning Act NT
- NT land suitability guidelines
- Possible donkey sites – Department of Lands, Planning and Environment possible donkey sites September 2015
Contact: Ms Cheng Teoh () - Aboriginal Areas Protection Agency
- Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act
Export of Donkey Products
- Currently there is no protocol for the export of donkey hides or meat to China, therefore this would need to be initiated by Chinese authorities and the process can take quite some time.
- Requirements for processing of donkeys for export
- Department of Agriculture & Water Resources (DAWR)
- NT abattoir licence applications can only be obtained by contacting:
David Frost
Senior Meat Industries Officer (SMIO), Biosecurity & Product Integrity
Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries
Ph: 08 8999 2255 | Fax: 08 8999 2146 | E-mail: - Meat Industries Act NT
- Primary Industries Standing Committee. Model code of practice for the welfare of animals. Livestock at slaughtering establishments. SCARM Report 79
- NT Environmental Protection Agency
- NT Environmental Protection Agency – Legislation
- Department of Lands, Planning and the Environment
- Planning Act NT
- Manual of Importing Country Requirements (MICoR) (Registration required)
- Darwin Port – East Arm Wharf
- Australian Renderers Association (ARA)
- Australian Hide Skin & Leather Exporters Association Inc. (AHSLEA)
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