New livestock arriving to properties is one of the highest risk activities for introducing disease, pests or parasites into flocks.
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Livestock Biosecurity Network national operations manager Sarah-Jane Wilson, is calling on greater use of the Sheep Health Statement (SHS) - a free, easy to use tool available to help manage farm biosecurity risks.
Dr Wilson said when buying or moving sheep, ask the vendor for a completed SHS to assess the risk around Lice, Ovine Brucellosis (OB), Ovine Johnes Disease (OJD), and Footrot.
“By managing your biosecurity decisions at this crucial time you are minimising risk and maximising the opportunity for profitability,” she said.
“These diseases and parasites can have a long and expensive impact on sheep flocks once established.
“When restocking, or accepting agistment animals, flock health history, location, testing previously undertaken and vaccination history are vital pieces of information that savvy buyers will be wanting to know.”
Sheepmeat Council of Australia president Jeff Murray said the Sheep Health Statement provided a level of assurance about flock health.
The SHS is voluntary except in South Australia where is it compulsory.
The SHS complements the National Vendor Declaration (NVD) as the required travel document that provides information to support Australia’s food safety reputation for red meat.
Boorowa, NSW, stud breeder Charlie Merriman, said the acquisition of new sheep had disease risks of which treatment can be a very costly exercise, especially in stud sheep enterprises.
“Avoid the problem before it has a chance to even begin by asking for a Sheep Health Statement,” Mr Merriman said.
“It’s a worthwhile practice – it only takes a couple of minutes and goes a long way to giving you peace of mind on the health of the flock.”
The free SHS is available here http://www.farmbiosecurity.com.au/toolkit/declarations-and-statements/
