Vet rejects preg testing proposal

AgForce Cattle Board president Bim Struss told beef producers at the AgForce South East Queensland conference last week that the amendments required to change this legislation were the state Vet Surgeons Act, and the Federal Australian Standard for Export of Livestock.

Mr Struss said a meeting with the vets highlighted the common belief they shared that the standard of pregnancy testing for live export in Australia was not adequate and that there is a clear need to improve the process. 

However Dr Guilfoyle, said that “on principle”, the ACV strongly opposed the deregulation of pregnancy testing in Queensland.

“We adopt this position based on several grounds to maintain the high level of integrity of pregnancy testing and to ensure the viability of veterinary members working in rural areas,” Dr Guilfoyle said.

"This is important in these times with the reduction of government services to primary producers and the onus of biosecurity being placed back on property owners by self-assessment codes.”

Dr Guilfoyle said just a few years ago, Agforce recognised this fact and supported continuing the status quo of the statutory regulation of pregnancy testing.

He said the live export trade, with the public focus on animal welfare, relies heavily on the integrity of professional pregnancy testing services.

“There have been some inaccuracies by accredited lay operators which has necessitated the need for a second test at the point of delivery.

“However the ACV does recognise that in some remote areas of Australia, veterinary services can be a logistical problem and pregnancy testing by lay operators appears to be an alternative,” Dr Guilfoyle said.