The Queensland Government says a new decision by the State’s Supreme Court last Friday has vindicated its actions with regard to the quarantine Biosecurity Queensland placed on Vanrook and Inkerman Stations.
Queensland’s Chief Biosecurity Officer Dr Jim Thompson said Chief Justice Tim Carmody had confirmed that when there was any suspicion of Johne’s disease infection, biosecurity inspectors had no choice but to act promptly and issue a quarantine notice.
“Biosecurity Queensland will continue to issue quarantine notices on properties where there is evidence of a Johne’s disease risk,” Dr Thompson said in a Biosecurity Queensland media release.
“Queensland is a declared protected zone for Johne’s disease and we are working hard to keep it that way.
“The Queensland Government’s approach to maintaining this status, and the favourable access to markets it affords, is supported by the vast majority of our multi-billion dollar beef industry.
“We continue to follow national protocols for Johne’s disease management, and facilitate industry’s wishes to maintain the state’s low prevalence of the disease.
“To provide a more comprehensive approach to Johne’s disease control in Queensland, we have amended the Stock Regulation 1988 to cover all strains of Johne’s disease.
“Our strategy focusses on reducing the risk of bringing new cases of Johne’s disease into Queensland and preventing the spread of Johne’s disease already present here.”
Dr Thompson said since the Johne’s disease response in 2012 the state government had worked closely with affected properties with a focus on minimising the impacts to business.
“The total number of properties now under movement restrictions, from the combined 2012 and 2013 incidents is down to 23,” he said.
“A range of financial assistance is available to producers, including direct market, supply chain, and short-term quarantine assistance.
“More than $2.6 million has been provided by the Queensland Government in Johne’s disease assistance and supplementary payments.”
Source: Biosecurity Queensland