A national review of the Bovine Johne’s Disease (BJD) zones has resulted in changes to entry requirements into Western Australia for beef cattle and non-dairy goats from parts of New South Wales and South Australia.
Department of Agriculture and Food acting chief veterinary officer Peter Morcombe said these areas were part of the previous BJD Control Zone and will now be known as the BJD Central Beef Protected Area (CBPA).
“The joint industry and government review found that NSW and SA meet the regulatory standards for control of BJD in beef and goat herds,” Dr Morcombe said.
“As a result of this, beef cattle and non-dairy goats in herds from the CBPA can now be moved to WA with either a negative herd BJD Check Test conducted within the past 12 months or membership of the BJD Market Assurance Program."
The review confirmed that Western Australia continues to meet the surveillance and investigation criteria required of a BJD Free Zone. The last case of BJD in WA was detected in 2006. In that case the Cattle Industry Fund provided compensation and the herd was destocked.
The conditions of entry of stock being moved into WA are set out in the Health Certificate (Movement of Stock into Western Australia - AD1071) available at www.agric.wa.gov.au
Anyone with enquiries is welcome to contact Mia Carbon, veterinary officer with the department, on 9368 3349.