Footrot vigilance delivers animal welfare wins
Vets in the Tablelands Livestock Health and Pest Authority are commending the efforts of sheep producers in maintaining low prevalence levels of footrot which have resulted in significant improvements in animal welfare.
Footrot is a contagious bacterial disease of sheep and goats. In its virulent form the disease causes severe pain to the affected animal and results in significant economic losses.
Bruce Watt, Tablelands LHPA senior district vet, says the Tablelands LHPA has successfully maintained its Protected Area status (flock prevalence of less than 1 per cent) since the State was declared Protected in July 2009.
"This is a credit to all sheep producers in the Tablelands LHPA, as they have remained vigilant in monitoring and reporting any cases.
"We only have to look back at the previous extent and nature of footrot to see how far we’ve come," he said.
In 1956 it was estimated that 80 per cent of southern slopes and tablelands’ flocks were infected with footrot. When the Footrot Strategic Plan was adopted by the NSW sheep industry in 1988, approximately 15 per cent, and in wetter areas up to 70 per cent, of NSW flocks had footrot.
"Compare this to current prevalence, estimated at less than 0.1 per cent of the State’s sheep flocks, and the sustained effort over the past 20 years by producers, livestock contractors, LHPAs and Industry and Investment NSW are certainly praiseworthy," said Mr Watt.
"Most importantly, maintaining the low prevalence level is a huge boost to the welfare of sheep across NSW."
Sheep farmers are urged to remain vigilant, only buying sheep accompanied by an owner/vendor declaration for footrot, such as the national Sheep Health Statement.
"The Tablelands LHPA will continue to survey sheep properties to ensure early recognition, containment and eradication of footrot should the disease re-appear," Mr Watt said.
"All sheep producers can then share the full benefits of the success of the footrot eradication program."
For more information on footrot and flock health, contact your local LHPA office.
Media contact: Kylie Dunn 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378