![PREPARE: Buying or agisting cattle brings the possibility of Johne's disease entering a herd. A good biosecurity plan can help minimise any risks by implementing such procedures as quarantining and quarantine drenching. PREPARE: Buying or agisting cattle brings the possibility of Johne's disease entering a herd. A good biosecurity plan can help minimise any risks by implementing such procedures as quarantining and quarantine drenching.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/rainsworth%40fairfaxmedia.com.au/13769ad1-0309-4fa5-a16b-c8ebce7c552a.JPG/r0_230_4917_3285_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Biosecurity experts are warning beef farmers to remain vigilant for Johne’s disease despite it being deregulated in most Australian states in July.
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All states, with the exception of Western Australia, agreed to deregulate Paratuberculosis or Johne's disease, putting more of the onus on farmers to put a good biosecurity plan in place.
“Animal Health Australia undertook a review of the National Bovine Johne’s Disease (BJD) Strategic Plan in 2015-16,” a Departrment of Agriculture and Water Resources spokesman said.
“Stakeholders had opportunities to provide input into the review to determine how the Australian cattle industry and governments would manage BJD in the future.
“The review resulted in the deregulation of BJD in many jurisdictions from July 2016.
“Alternate industry assurance systems will replace the previous regulatory approach.
”It is in the interest of all producers to limit the occurrence of disease in their herds, including JD, which affects herd productivity and is a disease of concern for some trading partners.
”Animal Health Australia and state and territory agricultural authorities provide advice to their producers on good biosecurity practices.”
Johne’s disease is an incurable infection that mainly affects the small intestine of the cattle and can cause chronic diarrhea and wasting.
It can also affect sheep, goats and deer. If Johne’s disease gets into a cattle herd, it can have disastrous effects on a business, especially breeders.
The most effective way to prevent the disease is believed to be through sound biosecurity practices as it is difficult to stamp it out from an infected herd.
Livestock Biosecurity Network regional manager NSW Rachel Gordon says setting up a good biosecurity plan does not have to be a painstaking process.
“Biosecurity is simply risk management,” Ms Gordon said.
“The risk you are managing is the chance of unwanted pests, diseases, or weeds entering your property, establishing, and spreading.
“From a food safety perspective, this also includes contaminants entering the food chain.
“Governments and industries alike are encouraging us to practise good biosecurity – to have a plan, share the responsibility and spot anything unusual.
“In an ideal world, we would all double-fence boundaries, source risk-free livestock, and prevent unwanted visitors coming onto properties.
“In reality, this isn't always possible.
“But, there are simple steps producers can take that will greatly minimise the risk of a disease, pest, or weed entering their property and spreading to existing livestock.”
- Visit www.lbn.org.au