The development of draft regulations for cattle tick control and management will start this month and the push is to have two distinct zones.
Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Bill Byrne, who made the announcement, said the management of cattle ticks had long been a contentious issue and this government was committed to engaging with those affected before making a decision.
“My department has commenced consultation with key stakeholders and industry groups to inform the drafting of the new regulations,” he said.
Biosecurity Queensland director Ashely Bunce said broader community consultation would commence shortly, seeking input particularly from those producers living along the tick line who would be most affected by any changes to cattle tick regulations.
“During consultation on the Queensland Biosecurity Regulation – Regulatory Impact Statement last year, three options for cattle tick management were put forward,” Mr Bunce said.
“The preferred cattle tick management strategy, option two, is to create two biosecurity zones, infected and free, with movement restrictions on host species travelling from the infested area to the free area.
“The general consensus across industry stakeholders throughout consultation is that two cattle tick zones are preferable to reduce red tape and confusion.”
Mr Byrne said the government was determined to see an end to the confusing cattle tick control zone. Part of Queensland will be a cattle tick free zone and the remainder will be an infected area.
“In determining the location of the tick line, consideration will be given to the sustainability and integrity of the free zone and the costs and impacts on both industry and government,” he said.
“Every effort will be made to locate the tick line in the most sustainable or defendable position utilising buffers including environmental, natural or man-made features that will impede cattle tick infestations or propagation of ticks when they do occur.
“Consultation with the broader community will commence in late October 2015 and will look at key issues such as the location of the tick line, requirements for crossing the tick line with livestock and management of cattle tick infestations in the free zone.”
