News

Resourcing cuts strain BJD control efforts

James Nason 11/12/2012

Already down on staff following Newman Government cutbacks, departmental efforts to control Bovine Johne’s disease in Queensland are said to be coming under severe strain from a lack of resources.

Biosecurity Queensland has placed movement restrictions on 150 properties that have received animals from the Rockley Red Brahman stud, where three animals tested positive to BJD last month.

Affected properties are currently being assessed to determine the appropriate management and testing strategy to be undertaken, with sampling being performed by Biosecurity Queensland field staff and private veterinarians.

People close to the department, but unwilling to be identified publicly, have told Beef Central that wholesale animal testing of Queensland herds is not possible as Biosecurity Queensland’s Brisbane lab cannot handle the mammoth task.

Departmental veterinary laboratories have been closed at Rockhampton, Townsville and Toowoomba under cost-saving measures, with testing now reliant upon the Coopers Plains laboratory in Brisbane.

A high level Biosecurity Queensland manager is also understood to have taken stress leave as staff resources are pushed to the limit.

“There is just one Biosecurity Queensland vet in Rockhampton and with one BQ officer in support and another officer handling all other inquiries at Rocky,” a contact told Beef Central this week.

“One other BQ officer has been sent to assist temporarily from Brisbane.

“All BQ needs is another Hendra outbreak in Central Queensland this summer and it all goes up in smoke over the holiday period.”

High level sources say there are already signs that producers with a potential issue with wasting or dying stock are not going to put their hand up, for fear of the consequences of having BJD confirmed.

While there is no way of knowing how BJD came to the Rockley stud, one theory is that it may have come through a red Brahman bull imported from US in one of the very early import drafts.

Were that the case, BJD would already be well-established in the Queensland beef herd, and, as one source said, "here to stay".

Qld Govt rejects claims of resourcing problems

The official line from the Queensland's minister for agriculture, fisheries and forestry John McVeigh is that both the Government and the industry are committed to eradicating the disease and to retaining the State's Protected Zone status. 

In a statement issued yesterday after meeting with industry leaders Mr McVeigh rejected the notion that resourcing limitations were hampering control and eradication efforts. 

“The 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,” Mr McVeigh said.

“Industry groups including AgForce, Cattle Council of Australia and the Australian Brahman Breeders’ Association are working with us to manage the situation.

“We have a very low prevalence of BJD in Queensland and it’s really important for industry that we maintain this status.

“Having 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.”

Mr McVeigh said Biosecurity Queensland was carrying out risk assessments, sampling and testing on affected properties.

“It’s 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,” he said.

“Movement restrictions are now in place on 150 properties that have received animals from the infected property.

“Each affected property will be assessed to determine the appropriate management and testing strategy to be undertaken.

“Sampling is being performed by Biosecurity Queensland field staff and private veterinarians.

“Affected producers can also use their own private veterinarian, however the veterinarian should first seek advice from Biosecurity Queensland about the sampling and testing process.

“Movement restrictions must remain in place until a property’s disease status can be resolved.

“We’re aware that movement restrictions are impacting affected producers and we’re working hard to resolve this situation as quickly as possible.”

Mr McVeigh said the Newman Government was prioritising BJD testing.

“Testing is being undertaken by Biosecurity Queensland and should the need arise we have contingency plans in place to manage the volume of tests required,” he said.

“As the nature of BJD testing is complex it can take 12 weeks or more to obtain results.

“Biosecurity Queensland is in contact with Sydney University about a new diagnostic test they are developing.

“As soon as this new test is available and validated in the laboratory in Queensland, the Government will be able to start using the test.

“Producers should be assured that all possibilities are being considered.”

Queensland’s chief veterinary officer Dr Rick Symons said the state's veterinary laboratories were well resourced to receive, handle and test samples in a timely manner.

“All 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.”

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.

This support is targeted at assisting them resolve their herd status.

Affected producers should not move or slaughter stock until they have discussed the options with Biosecurity Queensland.

For more information on BJD visit www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.

 

 

HAVE YOUR SAY

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your comment will not appear until it has been moderated.
Contributions that contravene our Comments Policy will not be published.

Comments

Get Beef Central's news headlines emailed to you -
FREE!