Producers vote to keep Western OJD Exclusion Area

Western NSW sheep producers have voted in favour of retaining the ovine Johne’s disease (OJD) Exclusion Area encompassing the entire Western Livestock Health and Pest Authority district.

According to Western LHPA general manager, Ann Duryea all sheep producers were polled on whether they wanted the Western OJD Exclusion Area to continue.

"We sent 510 surveys to sheep producers in late May, and there was an excellent response," she said.

"Approximately 57 per cent of sheep producers returned the survey, and of those 93 per cent voted to have the Western OJD Exclusion Area maintained."

NSW Department of Primary Industries OJD guidelines stipulate that an Exclusion Area must be reviewed after three years by surveying local producers. If less than 50% of producers respond to the survey or less than 50% of those who respond support the continuation of the Exclusion Area, a recommendation is made to the Minister for Primary Industries to revoke the Exclusion Area.

"Based on the results, we can conclude that sheep producers in the Western LHPA are supportive of the OJD Exclusion Area and would like to see it continued," said Ms Duryea.

Ms Duryea said the Western OJD Exclusion Area was set up in 2004 at the request of sheep producers. The program is managed locally, with the LHPA providing advice on trading and undertaking action when an infection or suspected infection occurs.

For more information on the Western OJD Exclusion Area contact your local office of the Western LHPA.

Media contact: Kylie Dunn 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378