A Casino district stockowner has been fined $550 for illegally bringing six head of cattle into NSW from Queensland.

Livestock transported south into NSW from tick infected coastal Queensland must be examined and treated for cattle ticks by qualified officers before entering NSW.

The movement was detected by Border Cam electronic surveillance at the Mount Lindesay border traffic crossing.

No ticks were detected on the stock but they have been treated for cattle ticks as a precaution.

The stockowner, who moved the six head from South East Queensland in a horse float, received a penalty notice of $550.

Electronic surveillance on the Pacific Highway at Sextons Hill, Tweed Heads, has been operating successfully for the past seven years.
This crossing takes 70 per cent of the traffic between NSW and tick infected coastal Queensland.

The 2005 West Report, headed by former Minister and Member for Orange Garry West, recommended "Electronic surveillance capabilities at the border crossings between NSW and the Queensland Tick Infected Area be developed as a high priority".

Following the recommendation of the West Report, electronic surveillance was extended to an additional six traffic crossings at Cobaki, Tomewin, Numinbah, Richmond Gap, Mount Lindesay and Boonah late last year.

Random manned inspections add to the security of this border line.

On average about 30 movements a month are investigated by NSW DPI officers from images captured by the Border Cam surveillance.

Most turn out not to involve livestock. Property inspections are carried out and warning letters or penalties issued.

"Stockowners who move animals illegally from coastal tick infected Queensland into NSW can expect to be caught by the border camera system," said NSW chief veterinary officer Bruce Christie.

Border Cam provides clear images of vehicle number plates, even on dark and rainy nights.

The camera takes front and rear photographs of vehicles large enough to carry livestock and is able to determine in most cases if animals are on board.

The pictures can be used as solid evidence in a court of law.

Stockowners should contact the NSW or Queensland Department of Primary Industries to arrange for a permit to cross the border before they leave the property.