More than two years after the state government made changes to cattle tick management and shifted sections of the tick line, Agriculture Minister Mark Furner has formed a new industry group.
Leading members of Queensland’s livestock industries will form the Queensland Cattle Tick Line Review Working Group, including Biosecurity Queensland’s general manager of animal and biosecurity welfare Dr Allison Crook, who will chair the working group.
Mr Furner said the group would provide advice and support the review of the Queensland cattle tick line.
“Dr Crook will be supported by representatives from Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation, Australian Livestock and Property Agents, Animal Health Australia, two independent cattle industry members and members from AgForce – one from the infested zone and one from the free zone," he said.
“Being able to draw on the knowledge and experience of the working group members will be crucial for the cattle tick line review process including guidance on its implementation.”
Mr Furner said the working group was formed following a series of consultation workshops conducted by Biosecurity Queensland and AgForce in 2018.
“It was apparent from those meetings that industry members had very clear views and opinions on the location of the cattle tick line, and the cattle tick management framework,” Mr Furner said.
“A key aspect of the working group will be the consideration of an ongoing review process, driven by producers, for the future management of the cattle tick line.”
Opposition agriculture spokesman Tony Perrett said it was past time for a proper review of the tick line, something the LNP has been calling for since the changes came into affect on July 1, 2016.
“While it was positive that industry groups would be consulted, it is essential that these groups are actually listened to," Mr Perrett said.
"We cannot allow this to be another box-ticking exercise where Government says they have ‘consulted’ but nothing changes.
“It is also essential that members of the public and the broader industry are given their say. This cannot simply be a closed shop ‘consultation’.
"All affected landholders deserve the right to have their say on the future of Queensland’s tick line."
The current framework comprises a risk-based cattle tick management system, with the changes in 2016 seeing the complete removal of the control zone, or area separating tick free and infested zones.
Landholders expressed their distaste for the changes prior to them coming in, with many saying the new regulations were a backward step for tick management.
