AgWatch tip-off service targets illegal agricultural activities

• AgWatch reporting tip-off service now live

• Report suspected illegal biosecurity or agricultural related activities via online tool
  

The Western Australian community can now access a simple online tool to report illegal activities which pose a biosecurity risk to the State's agriculture industry and the environment. The new AgWatch reporting service is now available from the CrimeStoppers website.

https://www.crimestopperswa.com.au/organisation-report/ AgWatch allows for quick and easy reporting of illegal activities which pose a biosecurity risk to WA’s agricultural industry and environment. Notably, the tip-off service allows for reports related to ‘Bees or Honey’.

Illegal activities related to Bees or Honey that may be reported include:

• Unregistered beekeepers

• Sale of bees to unregistered beekeepers

• Importation of bees or bee products without permit; and

• Movement of bees or bee products from the Small Hive Beetle (SHB) infested area to the SHB free area without permit (broadly, the SHB infested area is ‘the Kimberley region’, details are available on the WA Organism List).

Reports can be submitted anonymously, however, investigations are often more effective where the reporter can be contacted confidentially. AgWatch adds to other tip-off reporting systems already used by the Department of Fisheries (FishWatch) and animal welfare (RSPCA WA Cruelty Hotline). It will also complement the department's long-established frontline Pest and Disease Information Service which provides advisory and identification services on animal and plant pests, weeds and diseases. Reports to AgWatch can be made via the department link on the CrimeStoppers reporting page: www.crimestopperswa.com.au/organisation-report/ Comments attributed to Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan: "AgWatch provides an effective mechanism where the community can report tip-offs about illegal activity to the department. "Moving livestock without following national identification and traceability requirements can put the industry's biosecurity at risk, particularly if stock need to be quickly traced in the event of a disease outbreak. "The reports will provide valuable information to help investigators respond to illegal activity and build intelligence to target threats and trends - ultimately helping protect our valuable farming industries and environment from biosecurity threats."