A review of the National Bovine Johne’s Disease Strategic Plan by government, industry and other stakeholders has brought about changes in how the disease is managed nationally.
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The new framework recognises the key role producers play in managing the disease, with less reliance on government regulation.
Under the changes, properties are no longer placed in quarantine, BJD zoning has been removed and it is no longer mandatory to disclose the Dairy Assurance Score when selling cattle from a dairy holding.
Movement restrictions on account of Johne’s disease in cattle moving into or within NSW have been removed, and infected beef cattle are no longer traced after detection.
Another important change is that there is no longer a differentiation between Johne’s disease strain types. Infection of any strain, in any species, is classed as Johne’s disease infection.
Johne’s disease affects cattle, sheep, camelids, goats and deer and still remains notifiable in NSW, consistent with the agreed national approach.
Animal Health Australia has developed tools to assist producers in the management of Johne’s disease on their property including:
- revised National Cattle Health Declaration (formerly the Cattle Health Statement)
- a new voluntary risk profiling tool for beef cattle – the Johne’s Beef Assurance Score (J-BAS) – and the revised Dairy Score for dairy herds
- JD Biosecurity Checklist to assist producers determine questions they may want to ask about the JD history of livestock
- Cooperative Biosecurity Group Guidelines for producers who wish to work together to enhance their biosecurity.
The National Cattle Health Declaration (CHD) has been updated to reflect the changes and is the best way for producers to obtain information about the health status of cattle prior to purchase.
The CHD has a section on Johne’s disease which asks for declaration of cases of clinical Johne’s disease on the property in the past five years, as well as a J-BAS score.
Cattle MAP herds will transition to a J-BAS score of eight and will require testing and a biosecurity plan monitored by a veterinary adviser.
For non-CattleMAP herds, the J-BAS will be calculated taking into account the Johne’s disease history on the property, biosecurity plans developed by the producer or veterinary adviser, and the amount of testing.
Producers buying or agisting stock susceptible to infection with Johne’s disease should request a National Health Statement, such as a National Cattle Health Declaration, from vendors. Dairy farmers can request the National Dairy BJD Assurance Score.
For further information contact your Local Land Services, Agriculture Victoria or your veterinary adviser.
