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Home : Plants and Animals : Permit Types/Information : Emu Farming Permits

Emu Farming Permits

In South Australia amendments to the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 allowed for the commercial farming of emus in August 1993 and emu licences were first issued in July 1994.

Emu farming permit holders pay an annual fee (see fees list) and are required to maintain a record/return book. Returns are submitted twice yearly at the end of April and October.

A code of management for the farming of emus in South Australia establishes the standards by which emu farming can proceed. The code contains permit fees and royalty details, fencing specifications, Development Act 1993 requirements, inspection procedures, marking of emu products and establishment of an Emu Industry Consultative Committee.

Animal welfare requirements are specified in the "The Australian Model Code of Practice for the welfare of animals - Husbandry of Captive Bred Emus". This code has been adopted as a guide by which emus should be farmed.

Further information on the various aspects of emu farming can be obtained from the following sources:

South Australian Emu Farmers Association
President
Chris Gregory
Email chris@emutracks.com.au
Phone: 08 8371 4499 Facsimile 08 8371 4399
PO Box 1180 Marleston, South Australia 5033

Department for Environment and Heritage
Fauna Permit Unit
GPO Box 1782
Adelaide SA 5001
Australia

Phone: (61 8) 8124 4972
Fax: (61 8) 8124 4939

Department of Primary Industries and Resources
New Animal Industries
GPO Box 1671
Adelaide SA 5001
Australia

Phone: (61 8) 8303 7718 or (61 8) 8303 7722
Fax: (61 8) 8303 7721

Emu Farming and the Native Vegetation Act 1991

Emu Farming is an intensive land use that may cause damage to native vegetation.

Substantial damage to native vegetative constitutes "Clearance" under the Native Vegetation Act 1991. Clearance of native vegetation requires consent from the Native Vegetation Council.

Prospective emu farmers should therefore be aware of their obligations under the Native Vegetation Act 1991.

• It is recommended that, where native vegetation occurs on a proposed emu farm that the person considering farming emus consult the Native Vegetation Council Secretariat before any expenditure is undertaken or any fences erected.
• The Native Vegetation Council Secretariat will be able to advise whether the vegetation is considered to be significant and whether emu farming will substantially damage that vegetation.
• In some instances an application to the Native Vegetation Council would be required.
• Native vegetation is not confined to trees and scrub, but also includes native grasses, shrubs and small plants.
• Clearance consent may be required even in areas previously grazed by other species of domestic stock, eg sheep or cattle.
• The above also applies to any extensions to existing emu farms that would impact on any native vegetation.

Enquiries can be made to:

Native Vegetation Council Secretariat
Phone: (61 8) 8124 4700

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