Australian cattle thefts soar

Australian cattle thefts have risen as prices have soared by half over the past two years.

In Queensland, 1.4 million cattle have been reported stolen, said John Stewart, who chairs a police advisory group on livestock theft.

Theft cost Australia’s agricultural industry about A$72 million (€43.2m) in 2002, the latest figures available, according to the Australian Institute of Criminology.