Animal health
Background:
At present the cost imposed by animal diseases on the Australian dairy industry is relatively low. Poor management of animal diseases can have an adverse impact on the image of the dairy industry and lead to more regulatory imposts and reduce the sales of dairy products. Emergency or exotic disease incursions may potentially have severe economic impacts Action is required to protect the industry’s favourable position by ensuring that on-farm animal health practices are sufficient. In addition, action is required to ensure the industry complies with QA based programs such as:
- Animal health
- BJD and EBL management
- National Livestock Identification System (NLIS)
- Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) programs
- Occupational Health and Safety legislation requiring the protection of farm workers from the transmission of diseases
- EADRA requirements which form the basis for cost sharing arrangements in the event of an outbreak of an Emergency Animal Disease.
Project objective:
Assist the Australian dairy industry to achieve levels of compliance with animal health and biosecurity practices that minimise animal disease costs and satisfy Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA) obligations
Project scope:
The first phase of this project will define a program that incorporates on-farm biosecurity plans and other animal health and quality control measures in a way that is seen as practical by dairy farmers and meets the requirements of other key stakeholders. The second stage will aim to achieve widespread adoption of recommended biosecurity and animal health measures.
The scope of the project includes: Adoption of Biosecurity plans and practices on farms; Emergency Animal Disease preparedness; Endemic disease control for nominated diseases such as Bovine Johne’s Disease (BJD), Enzootic Bovine Leukaemia (EBL), Pestivirus and mastitis. Monitoring of developments and planning a timely response to emerging animal health threats; Management of dead and downer cows; Safeguarding public health through monitoring and correction of antibiotic residue incidents, and Enhancing Calf management on farms.
Outcomes/benefits:
The project aims to deliver:
- Clear advice to farmers and advisors on the action to meet on-farm biosecurity requirements
- Integration of biosecurity requirements into farm QA programs
- Clear outlines of requirements for industry programs such as for managing Bovine Johne’s Disease (BJD) and Enzootic Bovine Leukaemia (EBL)
- Clear advice on management of downer cows with a view to reducing prevalence and reducing the risks associated with disposal of dead animals
- Enhanced calf management for both replacement and sale calves, including responsible antibiotic management, hygeinic calf rearing practices and supply chain integrity
- A detailed plan to decrease the occurrence of zoonotic diseases
- A reliable source of animal health information on the Dairy Australia website
- Dairy industry agreement with all relevant government agencies to ensure that industry views are incorporated in Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) planning, operation and performance reviews.
More information:
For more information, please contact Kathryn Davis, Manager Animal Health.