Queensland's minister for agriculture, fisheries and forestry John McVeigh has today announced measures designed to reinvigorate the Cattle Tick Management Queensland (CTMQ) group.

The group, which met in Brisbane today, has welcomed a number of high-profile producers to its membership.

“Over the past couple of wet seasons, there have been regular instances of cattle tick infestation,” Mr McVeigh said.

“I have been visiting regional areas speaking to industry leaders and producers and this issue of cattle ticks keeps coming up. I am committed to addressing the problem.

“Cattle ticks are the most serious external parasite for Queensland’s livestock industries, and if not managed could potentially spread tick fever.

“While the CTMQ has been around since 2006, I am changing the structure of the group to develop proposals jointly with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) for funding strategies and business plans for the whole cattle tick management program.

“The new CTMQ chair Patrick Hick will also liaise directly with representatives of the dairy and horse industry.”

The new CTMQ members are:

• Patrick Hick, Julia Creek (Chairperson) Agforce/cattle producer
• Ian Harsant, Oakleigh, Harrisville, Agforce/cattle producer
• Michael McTaggart, Bears Lagoon, Moura, Agforce/cattle producer
• Paul Wright, Taroom, cattle producer/veterinarian
• Tom Seiler, Killara, Proston, Agforce/cattle producer
• Brian Tessmann, President QDO
• Peter Hayes, (ALMA/ALPA) Livestock Agent
• Ted Parish, DAFF Queensland.

Mr McVeigh said the group would be a forum for discussion between interest groups and DAFF, and he would look to the group for recommendations on amendments to legislation.

Discussion will focus on: 

• infestations in the Free/Control Zones
• market access
• cost of clearing stock from the infected zone
• Acaricide subsidy, and
• moving horses between zones.

Mr McVeigh said DAFF was committed to maintaining the integrity of the tick line and additional frontline officers had been recruited to step up the fight against ticks.

“Three new cattle tick officers have been recruited in Gatton, Roma and Longreach to work with producers in the cattle tick free areas to eradicate ticks, help with outbreaks and inspect and clear stock moving between cattle tick zones,” he said.

“These appointments are part of the Government’s drive to put 15 new frontline officers to work in regional parts of Queensland.”

Source: QDAFF