WHEN it comes to dealing with bovine Johne’s disease, there is the science, but there is also the human side.
AgForce’s cattle president Bim Struss said the national review process currently being carried out had many experienced people involved.
“And we have to respect that and we recognise there is science behind this, but there is also a human side,” he said.
“We need to understand and appreciate that there are people out there who have been hurt financially and mentally being put under quarantine.”
This has prompted AgForce to look at developing an industry-funded biosecurity pool that would be available not just for those affected since the BJD outbreak in 2012, but for future incursions. Although this is still in the idea phase, the pool would be available for any potential biosecurity issue.
Meanwhile, Mr Struss welcomed Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne's announcement that the government would double its financial support to $200,000, but he would like to see more.
“There is still $2.3 million in that fund that needs to be distributed as soon as we can get that committee up and going again,” Mr Struss said.
Because of the new government, the committee overseeing the administration of the funds had “fallen to the wayside”.
“We need to try and get financial support out to those who need it the most.”
The organisation is working with the program set up by the previous administration, but will also be consulting with those affected.
He conceded it was an emotive issue that was not going to go away easily, but also noted that Queensland had 19,000 producers, and 18,500 were not affected by BJD.
There are currently between 30 and 32 properties quarantined.
“We have seen a whole series of some 30,000 tests being done, some 650 head of cattle slaughtered and at this point there has been no indication of the disease tracing forward.”
