Changes for BJD control in NSW from July 1 this year

Changes to the management of Bovine Johnes Disease (BJD) in cattle in NSW will be introduced from July 1 this year, NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Ian Roth said today.

Following a long period of consultation between the cattle industries and state and territory governments, NSW has agreed to become a Beef Protected Area in a national approach to BJD control,” Mr Roth said.

“The new approach, endorsed at a BJD Summit last November involving a broad sector of the NSW farming industry, reaffirms the commitment to protect the beef sector from BJD, while allowing dairy producers greater control over how they manage their herds.”

BJD is a chronic disease of cattle which has no cure. Affected animals become thin and can ultimately die.

Mr Roth said maintaining and improving this BJD status of our cattle industries is important for our future export opportunities – not to mention the on-farm benefits of controlling the disease.

"Now that there is national agreement on the future directions for BJD management, BJD Zones will no longer be maintained in NSW from July 1 this year,” he said.

“The current BJD control zones in the north east and south east of the State and in parts of the Riverina, will be abolished as the entire state becomes a Beef Protected Area (BPA).

“Under this national agreement, the onus is on cattle producers to be informed about the BJD status of the animals they are buying - and for dairy producers to supply a declaration of the Dairy BJD Assurance Score with every consignment of cattle they sell.

“Beef producers in particular should be aware of the effect of buying in dairy or dairy-cross animals originating from dairy holdings, on their trading opportunities.”

Mr Roth said BJD can be introduced when you buy cattle – but there are tools to reduce your risk of bringing infected animals into your herd.

“All cattle buyers should ask about the BJD status of stock before purchase and buy only low risk cattle – people selling dairy cattle must declare the BJD Assurance Score of every consignment offered for sale.

“The Dairy BJD Assurance Score is a herd scoring system out of 10, based on the level of risk of BJD associated with the herd. The higher the BJD Assurance Score the lower the risk.

“Beef only producers are advised to avoid buying dairy cattle or only buy dairy cattle with a BJD Assurance Score of eight or more (from a Cattle MAP herd).”

For properties with goats, alpacas or deer there will also be some changes.

For more information on the detail of the new changes go to www.dpi.nsw.gov.au or contact your local LHPA veterinarian or NSW DPI livestock officer.

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