Johne’s Disease reforms: cattle health statement crucial

But NSW Farmers wants state government to bolster nationwide regulations by making cattle health statements mandatory at the point of sale. 

The unifying BJD reforms – developed by Animal Health Australia and scheduled to come into effect today – are built on a risk-based approach that puts the onus on cattle buyers to check the health of a prospective purchase.

The chronic wasting disease will still be notifiable as per current state regulations, while Animal Health Australia is encouraging buyers to ask for animal health statements.  

Farms found to have BJD among its animals will no longer be quarantined as a control measure, and there will be no tracing of confirmed BJD cases along the supply chain. 

Not everyone is a fan of the shift from government regulatory control to a market-driven industry management approach – particularly beef and dairy producers in Queensland and Western Australia - which have a lower prevalence of BJD than NSW. 

Some producers have accused government of offloading responsibility of the disease to farmers, arguing producers don’t have the same level information at their disposal, or the tools to complete biosecurity obligations.

NSW Farmers cattle committee chair Bill Stacy backed the reforms but called for Department of Primary Industries to add an extra level of protection for buyers. 

“NSW Farmers supports national uniformity of BJD regulations across all states and welcomes the move to a risk-based approach,” Mr Stacy said. 

“(But) we’re (also) calling on the state government to underpin the changes to BJD management by mandating the use of the Cattle Health Statement in transactions of breeder stock.” 

Animal Health Australia is also finalising a nationally coordinated beef cattle assurance scheme to replace the current CattleMAP.

It is also advocating for producers to form cooperative biosecurity groups to avoid disease.

For more information on the changes to BJD management contact Local Land Services on 1300 795 299, or visit www.farmbiosecurity.com.au to start preparing your on-farm biosecurity plan.