The potential for disruption to cattle markets from July 1 has led to an easing of the forthcoming national Johne’s Disease management rules this week.
While this will not mean an extension to any deadline, Cattle Council of Australia says the move will provide much-needed breathing space for producers and others to understand what is required and will allow greater alignment between the recently announced LPA changes from 1 October and the Johne’s Disease (JD) management program itself.
From July 1, any producer without an on-farm biosecurity plan was due to fall from the current default Johne’s Beef Assurance Score (J-BAS) of seven (7) to the lowest Johne’s assurance score of zero (0).
With many producers yet to complete an on-farm biosecurity plan, concerns have been building in recent weeks that the policy will dramatically impact on cattle markets on July 1, because buyers will be reluctant to bid on any cattle sold under the lowest J-BAS 0 score after that date.
The Cattle Council of Australia board held an urgent meeting to address these concerns earlier this week, and decided to lift the national JBAS default position from July 1 from J-BAS zero (0) to JBAS six (6), meaning cattle trading should continue unaffected.
Producers will still be urged to complete an on-farm biosecurity plan as soon as they can.
Underpinning this decision was the fact that all Australian cattle producers will definitely be required to have on-farm biosecurity plan in place by October 1, under recently announced changes to Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) (see earlier Beef Central article here).
How do producers complete an on-farm biosecurity plan?
The process involves going online to this link and downloading, printing and filling out the seven-page, self-assessable on-farm property biosecurity plan template. (People without adequate internet access can contact officers listed at the bottom of this page to have the form mailed to them)
Will producers need to fill out two on-farm biosecurity plans – one for the purpose of satisfying Johne’s Assurance requirements, and another to satisfy LPA requirements?
Cattle Council of Australia biosecurity advisor Justin Toohey told Beef Central that it is understood only one on-farm plan will have to be completed – the plan producers complete for Johne’s assurance purposes, which will involve answering the optional section on JD, will also satisfy their requirements for LPA accreditation from October 1.
Mr Toohey said several organisations such as Elders, Landmark and Livestock Biosecurity Network had worked very hard to get producers to complete an on-farm biosecurity plan by June 30, and said producers were still being actively encouraged to complete the plan by that date
The Australian Registered Cattle Breeder’s Association has sent advice to its members this morning answering two further key questions producers may have about creating an on-farm biosecurity plan:
Do I need to send my Farm Biosecurity Plan anywhere?
You do not need to send your Farm Biosecurity Plan anywhere. It should be carefully filed so that it can be produced in either of the following situations:
- If you have declared on a National Cattle Health Declaration that your herd is J-BAS 6, 7 or 8, a potential purchaser could ask to see your Farm Biosecurity Plan to be assured that your Biosecurity Plan for Johne’s Disease minimises the risk of infection of your herd with Johne’s Disease.
- LPA conducts random audits. From 1 January 2018if you are audited for LPA compliance the auditor will ask to see your Farm Biosecurity Plan.
Do I need a veterinarian to sign my Farm Biosecurity Plan which includes a Johne’s module and will I have to test my herd for Johne’s Disease?
- If you decide to drop to J-BAS 6 assurance level you do not need a veterinarian to sign off on your Biosecurity Plan and you are not required to conduct any testing of your herd for Johne’s Disease.
- If you wish to maintain a J-BAS 7 assurance level you are required to have a veterinarian to sign off on your on Farm Biosecurity Plan and review it annually and you will be required to conduct the first Triennial Check Test (up to 50 animals) by 30 June 2018. Note that for a Qld herd wishing to maintain access for cattle to WA an annual Check Test is required.
- If you wish to maintain a J-BAS 8 assurance level (WA herds and former Market Assurance Program herds) you will be required to have a veterinarian sign your Farm Biosecurity Plan and review it annually and you will be required to conduct the first Triennial Check Test by 30 June 2018. Note that for access of cattle to WA from NSW, Vic, SA and TAS there are additional requirements to J-BAS 8. From NSW and SA two clear Sample Tests (up to 300 head) must have been conducted two years apart (equivalent to the former MN2) and from Vic and Tas three Sample Tests over four years must have been conducted (equivalent to the former MN3)
Animal Health Australia released the following statement advising producers about the forthcoming Johne’s rule changes:
Biosecurity focus the way of the future for livestock producers
The voluntary Johne’s Beef Assurance Score (J-BAS) has been developed to assist beef cattle producers in identifying the risk of Johne’s disease (JD) occurring in a herd.
Transitional arrangements for J-BAS end on 1 July 2017 and cattle producers across Australia are urged to implement an on-farm biosecurity plan in order to maintain their current J-BAS. J-BAS is managed by Animal Health Australia (AHA) on behalf of the Cattle Council of Australia (CCA), who represent the industry.
In an important update for producers, herds with a transition score of J-BAS 7 or 8 will revert to a J-BAS 6 rather than J-BAS 0, if no on-farm biosecurity plan is in place by 1 July 2017.
“CCA have taken on-board feedback and altered the J-BAS score to alleviate producer concerns regarding loss of domestic market sales. This doesn’t change the focus of the new direction – cattle producers are still encouraged to treat JD as one of the many diseases they must manage within their business,” says Dr Rob Barwell, Acting Executive Manager Biosecurity and Product Integrity Services at AHA.
“We’d like to acknowledge all livestock stakeholders, including agents, for their excellent work in spreading the on-farm biosecurity message to Australian cattle producers – a message we’re keen for all invested parties to continue sharing.
“It’s important to remember that key to this new framework is the implementation of robust biosecurity practices; practices which will safeguard the profitability of the cattle producer,” says Dr Barwell.
To assist producers with developing their biosecurity plans, AHA has updated its Farm Biosecurity Plan page to include a range of biosecurity planning resources. The same on-farm planning template can be used for the Livestock Production Assurance program and J-BAS, with producers who have a JD focus required to complete the optional JD questions.
As the Australian cattle industry finalises the transition to a new framework for managing JD, producers are encouraged to implement their on-farm biosecurity plans.
The Cattle Council of Australia has issued the following point-by-point explanation of new Johne’s management arrangements post July 1:
The Cattle Council of Australia is alerting producers to key changes in the transitional dates of on-farm biosecurity planning.
- New biosecurity laws have shifted many of the costs and responsibilities for managing pests and diseases on to producers.
- As part of this transition, producers are now responsible for implementing on-farm biosecurity plans.
- A biosecurity plan will be required for producers to gain or renew their Livestock Production Assurance (LPA)accreditation from 1st October 2017.
- In parallel, a new national biosecurity management approach to Johne’s Disease (JD) in cattle has been developed by Animal Health Australia (AHA) and the Cattle Council of Australia.
- The new approach to JD management in beef cattle has seen most states remove regulations.
- To assist cattle producers take responsibility for managing their on-farm risks, an important tool, called the Johne’s Beef Assurance Score (J-BAS), has been developed.
- An on-farm biosecurity plan is also required for J-BAS.
- The same on-farm planning template will be used for LPA and J-BAS, with producers who have a focus on JD being required to complete the optional questions on JD.
- The J-BAS system works on a set of scores measured off a producer’s previous exposure to JD and their preparedness in managing their risk. An outline of the score system can be found at: animalhealthaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/J-BAS_April-2017-2.pdf
- The Northern Territory (NT) and Western Australia (WA) have legislated minimum J-BAS entry requirements that include a biosecurity plan and, in the case of WA, herd testing.
- To maintain J-BAS 7, producers must have a biosecurity plan overseen and signed by a vet by 1st July 2017and have undertaken a ‘check test’ (50 samples) with clear results by 1st July 2018, or they automatically move to a J-BAS 6.
- The default position for any producer will be J-BAS 6 unless they have prior JD infection in the last 5 years, in which case they should then self-assess as per the J-BAS criteria.
- Cattle travelling to Western Australia will need to be J-BAS 7 or 8, and meet other entry requirements as set out in the health certificate for movement of stock to Western Australia (LB1 form).
- Cattle travelling to the NT from 1 July 2017 will need to be J-BAS 6 and accompanied by a Cattle Health Declaration from the property of origin.There is no need for vet endorsement or testing. National Cattle Health Declaration form: http://www.farmbiosecurity.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/NATIONAL-CATTLE-HEALTH-DECLARATION_fillable_251016_FA.pdf
- It is recommended that for any cattle transaction within the production system, a National Cattle Health Declaration should be supplied by the vendor and requested by the buyer (cattle being sent direct to slaughter may not require this).
Further information:
Livestock Production Assurance program
LPA information can be found at: www.mla.com.au/meat-safety-and-traceability/red-meat-integrity-system/about-the-livestock-production-assurance-program/seven-lpa-requirements/biosecurity/
Johne’s Beef Assurance Score
J-BAS information can be found at: www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/jd-cattle-tools/
On-farm biosecurity templates
The following link provides a biosecurity plan template that can be used to develop an on-farm biosecurity plan that will meet the requirements of LPA (therefore automatically, J-BAS provided the JD section is completed):): www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Grazing-Manual-Biosecurity-Form.pdf
About Cattle Council of Australia (CCA)
CCA is the prescribed Peak Industry Council for the Australian Cattle Industry. It represents all Australian cattle producers to formulate policy and advocate for the betterment of the industry.
About Animal Health Australia (AHA)
AHA works in partnership with the Cattle Council of Australia and its members to keep Australia free of new and emerging diseases and to improve animal health, enhance market access and foster resilience and integrity of the Australian animal health system.
About Livestock Production Assurance (LPA)
The LPA program is the Australian livestock industry’s on-farm assurance program covering food safety, animal welfare and biosecurity. It provides evidence of livestock history and on-farm practices when transferring livestock through the value chain.
Johne’s Beef Assurance Score (J-BAS)
J-BAS is a risk profiling tool developed for use in the new approach to Johne’s Disease (JD) in beef cattle (otherwise known as BJD). It is meant to be used as a guide and producers should ask further questions about JD in the herd and on the property, rather than rely on the score alone.
For further details contact Cattle Council of Australia on cca@cattlecouncil.com.au or 02 6269 5600
People without internet access can call a Livestock Biosecurity Network Officer to have a on-farm biosecurity plan form sent to their address:
- NSW: Rachel Gordon – M: 0488 400 207,
- VIC, SA, Tas: Patrick Kluver – M: 0499 077 213,
- QLD: Rachael O’Brien – M: 0418 7224 61,
- WA: Frances Gartrell – M: 0497 700 113