Sheep producers to vote on ovine Johne’s disease exclusion area

Sheep producers in part of the Riverina Livestock Health and Pest Authority district have an opportunity to decide if they want ovine Johne’s disease (OJD) exclusion areas to be in effect.

The review is part of the state wide NSW Industry and Investment policy on OJD exclusion areas.

Senior District Veterinarian with the Riverina Livestock Health and Pest Authority, Dan Salmon, said that producers in the traditional grazing area have been asked to vote on whether there should be an exclusion area or not.

Dr Salmon says the exclusion area is designed to help the sheep industry in that area reduce the risk of OJD being introduced.

"Producers need to consider the disadvantages and advantages of being in an exclusion area. It may slow the spread of OJD into the area and make sheep buyers more confident that they are buying low-risk sheep. However compulsory notification of sheep being brought into the area can be inconvenient and producers will have different views on compulsory investigation of suspect flocks and possible quarantine of infected flocks."

"That is why it is important that every producer votes. For the exclusion area to be renewed at least half of the eligible sheep producers must vote in favour."

The traditional breeding country in parts of the former Hay, Murray and Riverina RLPB districts has been a source of replacement sheep for most of south-eastern Australian for generations. Sheep are rarely brought in from outside and as such it was a natural fit for an OJD exclusion area.

The poll closes on 31 January 2011 and all producers are urged to have their say.

For more information contact your local office of the Riverina Livestock Health and Pest Authority or Dan Salmon on 0428 629 278.

Media contact: Kylie Dunn 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378