Minister Labels BJD Fears 'Scaremongering'

20160216 Leanne Donaldson — Agriculture Minister Leanne Donaldson

May 20, 2016

The State Government has accused the LNP of “scaremongering” over the issue of Bovine Johne’s Disease (BJD).

Under a proposal put forward by Animal Health Australia, responsibility for bio-security issues would become a responsibility of producers, both when buying and selling stock.

At the moment, Queensland has a “protected zone” status and the majority of the herds are BJD-free.

Outbreaks that have occurred have resulted in properties being quarantined by Biosecurity Queensland.

Agriculture Minister Leanne Donaldson said the State Government was committed to working within the national system to raise awareness and capabilities in BJD management “to benefit all Queensland livestock producers”.

“The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries established the Johne’s Disease review committee specifically to represent the Queensland livestock industry during more than a year of consultation,” Ms Donaldson said.

“Producers introducing stock onto their properties should already be seeking assurances about the health of the stock as part of property biosecurity management plans. This approach will continue under the new framework.

“The Government stands by its record on biosecurity and is committed to repair the damage caused by the LNP’s damaging cuts and the dismissal of 26 per cent of Biosecurity Queensland’s workforce.”

The Minister said claims made by the LNP on Thursday were “a deliberate attempt to spread fear”.

“We might have a new Shadow Minister but sadly we have the same groundless and pathetic scaremongering from the LNP,” Ms Donaldson said.

“Dale Last’s comments are ill-informed and irresponsible and show he has no understanding of the level of industry consultation that has occurred.

“It is grossly misleading to claim that adopting a national program on JD management will lead to ‘open slather’ in Queensland.

“JD is and will remain a notifiable disease in Queensland.”

The Minister said the changes were consistent with the aims and objectives of the Biosecurity Act 2014 which had bi-partisan support during the Newman Government.

“Mr Last may not be aware but the Biosecurity Act was introduced by the former LNP government and passed with bipartisan support in 2014,” she said.

“He appears to be indicating that the LNP does not now support legislation it introduced when in government.

“If he had any understanding of the process he would know that the new policy has been developed in consultation with the livestock industries in Queensland consistent with the principles of the Biosecurity Act.

“The changes will lessen the impacts of regulatory control on affected producers and allow them to manage biosecurity risks in a way that best suits their enterprise.

“I call on Mr Last to stop scaremongering and commit his support for this important legislation.”

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