AHA Presses On With BJD Overhaul

May 26, 2016

Animal Health Australia is pushing ahead with its deregulation of Bovine Johne’s Disease controls, despite opposition from some Queensland cattle producers.

AHA announced this week that it had begun the evaluation of the “Australian Johne’s Disease Market Assurance Program for Cattle” (CattleMAP), a key step in the implementation of its planned BJD Framework.

A spokesman said that during the evaluation period, it had been agreed that the testing requirement for CattleMAP would be suspended until November 1.

“The review will take place over the coming months and involves consultation with a number of producers still in the CattleMAP, as well as some who have recently left,” AHA’s Executive Manager of Biosecurity Services Duncan Rowland said.

“Identified producers will have the opportunity to state what they feel has worked well within the CattleMAP and what areas need improvement.

“Although suspension of testing is in place, it’s imperative that producers continue to maintain their biosecurity plans and undergo veterinary reviews during this evaluation process.

“Robust biosecurity practices are vital in this new deregulated environment.”

The statement from the AHA said the BJD Steering Committee would implement the recommendations identified at the end of the CattleMAP evaluation period.

Additional steps still to take place in the BJD Framework implementation process included:

The deregulation and removal of zoning, which will occur as State Governments implement the new Framework

The completion of tools and resources (such as biosecurity checklists, a risk profiling tool and co-operative biosecurity guidelines) to assist producers reduce the prevalence of production diseases and improve the management of these diseases