13Escape or release of farm deer from deer farm

13 Escape or release of farm deer from deer farm

(1)  A person must not cause or permit, or do an act or thing which is likely to cause or permit –

(a) a farm deer to escape from a deer farm; or

(b) a farm deer to be released from a deer farm.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 100 penalty units.

(2)  As soon as practicable after becoming aware that a farm deer has escaped, or been released, from a deer farm, the licence holder and deer farm operator in respect of the farm must ensure that –

(a) the Secretary is notified of the escape or release; and

(b) all reasonable steps are taken to –

(i) recover the escaped or released farm deer; or

(ii) if the deer is unable to be recovered, destroy the escaped or released farm deer.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 100 penalty units.

(3)  A farm deer is forfeited to the Crown if the farm deer –

(a) has escaped or been released from a deer farm; and

(b) is not recovered within the 48-hour period after the Secretary is first notified under subregulation (2)(a) of the escape or release of the farm deer.

(4)  A deer farm operator, or licence holder, in respect of a deer farm may apply in writing to the Secretary for an extension of the period specified in subregulation (3)(b) in respect of a farm deer that has escaped, or been released, from the farm.

(5)  On receiving an application under subregulation (4) in respect of a farm deer that has escaped, or been released, from a deer farm, the Secretary may –

(a) extend the period specified in subregulation (3)(b) in relation to the farm deer for the period that the Secretary considers appropriate in the circumstances; or

(b) refuse to grant the extension.