QDO ‘Bitterly Disappointed’

Under a bright red banner saying “Warning! Be Prepared”, Queensland Dairyfarmers Organisation president Brian Tessmann, above, issued a statement saying dairy farmers were bitterly disappointed with the government’s decision.

“QDO has and will continue to try to work constructively with government towards some sort of sensible transition as the new regulations come into effect,” he said.

“In our most recent dairy industry survey, completed by 51 per cent of this State’s dairy farmers, results showed between 90 per cent and 96 per cent of respondents were against the removal of the BJD protections.

“Under the new regulations the government talks of shared responsibility with industry but the stark reality is the transference of responsibility and liability to the individual producer.

“Worth noting is that while some dairy farmers in southern Australia are ramping up the new Market Assurance Program (MAP) dairy score scheme to help control the disease there are significant levels of BJD, just across the border in Northern NSW (with) no significant management strategies currently in place.

“Over the next few months QDO will aim to work with the state government and Dairy Australia to develop a management scheme that is more effective in controlling disease spread than the southern dairy score scheme, whilst not being intrusive to on farm management.

“Most importantly it is now essential that all Queensland dairy farmers take all the necessary actions to meet what is still their biosecurity obligations.”

June 24,  2016

The Queensland Dairyfarmers Organisation is sounding dire warnings, but Animal Health Australia is sounding triumphant about the end of Bovine Johne’s Disease zones from July 1.

Both organisations released media statements on Friday.

Animal Health Australia’s (AHA) Executive Manager of Biosecurity Services Duncan Rowland said the new approach, endorsed by the cattle industry and State Governments, focused on managing on-farm biosecurity risk rather than controlling disease through regulation.

“This approach treats JD as just one of many diseases that producers must manage within their business,” he said.

“Supported by more flexible regulation, producers will be able to make informed decisions about the opportunities and risks associated with purchasing livestock.”

A number of changes will occur under the new Framework including:

  • Deregulation and removal of zoning: Most State/Territory jurisdictions are on-track to remove regulation by July 1
  • Ceasing of quarantining of properties as a control measure
  • Movement to a market-driven approach where producers undertake practices dependent on market requirements.

“To ensure Australian producers and interested stakeholders are informed and supported throughout this reform process, industry and governments are developing tools and resources to provide guidance,” Mr Rowland said.

“We’ve released a useful fact sheet, ‘New approach to Johne’s disease in cattle’, which clearly outlines what the approach means for the individual producer and also addresses some frequently asked questions.”

AHA said additional steps that would take place over the next month included:

  • Provision of additional tools and resources
  • Enhancement of the existing National Cattle Health Declaration to reflect the new approach
  • Hosting of public forums, to address any questions producers may have
  • Continuous updates on the AHA website.

Mr Rowland said AHA would continue to work with industry and government “to ensure the Framework is implemented as smoothly and quickly as possible to enhance the biosecurity credentials of Australia’s cattle industry”.

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