Movement restrictions remain in place on 48 Queensland properties under the State’s Bovine Johne’s Disease management program, according to the latest communiqué released by the Queensland Government yesterday to industry stakeholders.

The 48 properties include 31 properties which were involved in the response to the ‘Qld2012’ incident at the Rockley Stud near Bajool in CQ, and 18 properties in the
‘Qld2013’ incident at Hollins Bay near Marlborough in CQ. (One property is involved in both incidents).

Laboratory testing for Qld2012 investigations include slaughter samples of 331 animals from 70 properties, 104 samples from live individual traceforward animals on 25 properties, and 12,266 faecal samples from in-contact cattle from 38 herds.

Laboratory testing for Qld2013 investigations include slaughter samples of 47 animals from eight properties, seven samples from live individual traceforward animals on one property, and 1201 faecal samples from in-contact cattle from six herds.

The rate of testing has reduced as on-farm testing is mostly awaiting scheduled sampling.

To date, the number of Qld2012 traceforward animals in Queensland with confirmed BJD remains at five.

Three of these animals have been assessed as low risk of spreading infection; the in-contact herds of the other two infected bulls are undertaking disease risk eradication by partial herd destocking and this has been completed in one herd and is nearing completion in the other.

In addition, there are 17 Queensland cattle properties under movement restrictions due to eight BJD incidents unrelated to either Qld2012 or Qld2013.

The communiqué said Biosecurity Queensland officers continue to work with affected producers to ease movement restrictions in accordance with agreed policy.

Queensland Agriculture Minister John McVeigh said the Queensland Government’s goal is to support industry through this response.

“I continually meet with beef industry bodies such AgForce and Cattle Council of Australia who continue to tell me we must maintain Queensland’s protected zone status so Queensland producers can access premium trade opportunities, both domestically and abroad.

“The Queensland Government is continuing to work with properties affected by bovine Johne’s disease (BJD) to minimise the impacts of the disease on the state’s $3.4 billion beef industry.

Financial assistance uptake

The Queensland Government has made $5 million in funding available to assist eligible producers through the Bovine Johne’s Disease Assistance Scheme.

Previously assistance was capped at $50,000, however this has recently been increased to allow affected producers to be eligible for up to $100,000 in assistance.

So far 64 applications for financial assistance have been received and 61 have been processed.

Payments under the Direct Market Assistance Program have been approved for 45 applications, totalling $286,317.

Payments under the Supply Chain Pathway Assistance Program have been approved for 12 applications, totalling $360,248.

Supplementary payments of $3000 to properties that have been under movement restrictions for at least one month and $5000 for those released from movement restrictions are also being processed. Applications to the value of $734,000 have now been approved.

For further information on the assistance packages, or assistance with applications, contact QRAA on 1800 623 946 or visit www.qraa.qld.gov.au