{"id":18985,"date":"2012-12-11T17:35:55","date_gmt":"2012-12-11T07:35:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=18985"},"modified":"2026-01-21T12:48:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T02:48:08","slug":"protected-status-key-for-bjd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2012\/12\/11\/protected-status-key-for-bjd\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Protected’ Status Key For BJD"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"John<\/a>
Queensland Agriculture Minister
John McVeigh<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

December 11, 2012<\/strong><\/p>\n

Agriculture Minister John McVeigh says beef industry leaders remain committed to the State Government’s response to Bovine Johne’s Disease (BJD) .<\/p>\n

Mr McVeigh, who met with the beef industry representatives yesterday to discuss the status of the disease, said the government\u2019s position reflected the industry position.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Newman Government has dedicated significant resources to manage the situation and Biosecurity Queensland is working with industry to retain our Protected Zone status for BJD,\u201d Mr McVeigh said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIndustry groups including AgForce, Cattle Council of Australia and the Australian Brahman Breeders\u2019 Association are working with us to manage the situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a very low prevalence of BJD in Queensland and it\u2019s really important for industry that we maintain this status.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving a low prevalence of BJD facilitates exports and provides Queensland producers with greater market access than other parts of Australia that do not have protected status.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr McVeigh said Biosecurity Queensland was carrying out risk assessments, sampling and testing on affected properties.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s important to note that only one property near Rockhampton has been confirmed as being infected with BJD, and on that property, only 3 head out of the 600 head herd have been confirmed with BJD,\u201d he said.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cMovement restrictions are now in place on 150 properties that have received animals from the infected property.<\/p>\n

\u201cEach affected property will be assessed to determine the appropriate management and testing strategy to be undertaken.<\/p>\n

\u201cSampling is being performed by Biosecurity Queensland field staff and private veterinarians.<\/p>\n

\u201cAffected producers can also use their own private veterinarian, however the veterinarian should first seek advice from Biosecurity Queensland about the sampling and testing process.<\/p>\n

\u201cMovement restrictions must remain in place until a property\u2019s disease status can be resolved.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re aware that movement restrictions are impacting affected producers and we\u2019re working hard to resolve this situation as quickly as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr McVeigh said the State Government was prioritising BJD testing.<\/p>\n

\u201cTesting is being undertaken by Biosecurity Queensland and should the need arise we have contingency plans in place to manage the volume of tests required,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs the nature of BJD testing is complex it can take 12 weeks or more to obtain results.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cBiosecurity Queensland is in contact with Sydney University about a new diagnostic test they are developing.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs soon as this new test is available and validated in the laboratory in Queensland, the Government will be able to start using the test.<\/p>\n

\u201cProducers should be assured that all possibilities are being considered.\u201d<\/p>\n

Queensland\u2019s chief veterinary officer Dr Rick Symons said veterinary laboratories were well-resourced to receive, handle and test samples in a timely manner.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll cattle producers, particularly stud breeders, need to continue to work closely with Biosecurity Queensland and their private veterinarians to ensure the program has every chance of succeeding,\u201d Dr Symons said.<\/p>\n

Affected producers who have been placed under movement restrictions by Biosecurity Queensland can apply for support under the National BJD Financial and Non-Financial Assistance Package.<\/p>\n

This support is targeted at assisting them resolve their herd status.<\/p>\n

Dr Symons said affected producers should not move or slaughter stock until they have discussed the options with Biosecurity Queensland.<\/p>\n