BIG changes in the way Johne’s disease in cattle is managed that does away with zones and quarantining has met with solid producer approval.
The new national approach, which has seen all states except Western Australia remove regulation, focuses on managing on-farm biosecurity risk under a risk-assessment principal.
President of the Australian Registered Cattle Breeders Association Malcolm Foster said it makes individual properties the point of control rather than zones which was ‘where it belonged all the time.’
Previous rules called for state governments to lock up properties and carry out trace forwards on cattle, which caused enormous financial losses to those affected, he said.
“In Queensland, a number of properties were quarantined in the last few years which was very costly,” he said.
“It is particularly devastating on a stud operation. If quarantined, they have no income.
“Given there is no financial penalty or negative production implications to the majority of the beef cattle industry, it was a draconian approach.
“That does not mean there isn’t an advantage to a property that is free and wants to use that in its marketing and the new system allows for that.”
Dr Allison Crook, Biosecurity Queensland’s chief veterinary officer, said the new approach allowed producers to make informed decisions about the opportunities and risks associated with purchasing livestock.
In outlining the changes at a cattle industry seminar hosted by ARCBA at the Royal Queensland Show last week, she said when regulation was removed, people tended to seek advice and talk openly about how to manage the disease.
Prior to July, zones were declared with strong entry requirements, quarantining and a regulatory response to infections, she said.
Last year, a national strategic review was held, managed by the independent, industry-funded body Animal Health Australia and involving broad consultation over a diverse geographic area.
That resulted in a new plan, which was approved early this year, and the process of deregulation began, with a July 1 deadline.
Along with the removal of zones and ceasing of quarantining, the key change is that management has moved to a market-driven approach, where producers undertake practices dependent on market requirements, according to Dr Crook.
“This is contemporary outcome-based legislation which enables individuals to choose the best method that suits their situation,” she said.
“The changes are in line with the principal around the management of all endemic diseases in Australia now.”
Dr Crook discussed the concept of a general biosecurity obligation (GBO), which requires producers to take ‘all reasonable and practical measures’ to prevent or minimise risk.
How does a producer discharge their GBO for Johne’s disease?
Supplying a health statement/declaration to a buyer with information to allow them to assess the likelihood of the animal being infected with Johne’s disease is the main way.
Secondly, animals which are known or suspected of being infected should be managed to minimise the impacts and spread.
That would include the likes of isolation, retaining only for growing out and fattening, vaccination, calf separation, paddock rotation, decontaminating paddocks after exit and monitoring health by regular testing
Animals reasonably presumed to be infected are unsuitable for human consumption.
BJD will also remain a notifiable disease.
Risk profiling tools and a biosecurity checklist have been developed and are available on the AHA website.
The National Cattle Health Declaration (formerly the cattle health statement) has been enhanced to reflect the new system.
Public forums to address producer questions are also being organised.
Mr Foster said ARCBA had lobbied for the changes and was very pleased with the result of the review.
BJD basics
Bovine Johne’s Disease is a bacterial infection of the gut which causes an immune response - a thickening of the gut.
Resulting malabsorption causes wasting, diarrhoea, weight and production losses and ultimately death.
It is spread in faeces and testing is challenging.
Vaccination is available.
BJD is most prevalent in south east Australia and in the dairy industry.
It spills over to beef where individual operations have links.
There are limited Queensland-origin BJD cases, most are associated with interstate movements.
