Little producer support for Riverina OJD exclusion area

A poll by the Riverina Livestock Health and Pest Authority has shown little support for an ovine Johne’s disease (OJD) exclusion area.

The Chairman of the Riverina LHPA, Butch Lane, said that an exclusion area has been operating in the northwest of the authority district for some time.

"The poll was a way of checking that there was still strong landholder support for the idea and also aligned with the state wide NSW Industry and Investment policy on OJD exclusion areas," he said.

In the exclusion area producers are obliged to notify the LHPA whenever they bring sheep in from outside the exclusion area. The LHPA livestock health staff then assess the risk of any movements with a view to identifying and controlling any infection brought into the area.

"We proposed to extend the exclusion area to the traditional station country between the Billabong and the Lachlan west of a line from Jerilderie to Hillston," Mr Lane said.

"We also proposed to remove some of the irrigation and mixed farming country from the east of the existing exclusion area.

"These proposals were aimed at streamlining the exclusion area."

There was not strong support for the idea with only 20 per cent of the sheep producers in the proposed exclusion area voting for it. For the area that was proposed to be removed from the OJD exclusion area, less than 10 per cent of the sheep producers voted in support.

Mr Lane said that there was little point in trying to retain the exclusion area without the support of the sheep industry.

"Based on the results of the poll, it is likely the exclusion area will not be renewed," he said.

For more information contact Dan Salmon, senior district vet with the Riverina LHPA, on 03 5881 1055.

Media contact: Kylie Dunn 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378