Production

Johne’s changes: Farmers urged to seek animal health statements

James Nason, 01/07/2016

NSW Farmers is reminding all farmers to ask for an animal health statement when buying breeder stock, following changes to managing Bovine Johne’s Disease (BJD) which take effect from today.

“NSW Farmers supports national uniformity of BJD regulations across all states and welcomes the move to a risk-based approach for managing BJD,” said Bill Stacy, Chair of the NSW Farmers Cattle Committee.

“We’re calling on the state government to underpin the changes to BJD management by mandating the use of the Cattle Health Statement in transactions of breeder stock.”

The new approach to managing the disease is based on the BJD Framework developed by Animal Health Australia, and gives producers greater control in managing their on-farm biosecurity risk.

Animal Health Australia is also finalising a nationally coordinated beef cattle assurance scheme to replace the current CattleMAP.

Producers are encouraged to continue to prepare and request a Cattle Health Statement when trading stock. It is important to ask questions about the health status of animals before bringing them onto a property.

Source: NSW Farmers. For more information on the changes to BJD management contact Local Land Services on 1300 795 299, or visitwww.farmbiosecurity.com.au to start preparing your on-farm biosecurity plan.

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