Rebate for veterinary investigations
to maintain Western Australia’s free zone status for bovine Johne’s disease
A guide for veterinarians
Western Australia is a bovine Johne’s
disease (BJD) Free Zone
A BJD Free Zone means that there is no known
BJD, and if disease is found it must be eradicated.
Having a BJD Free Zone status enables Western
Australian producers to trade within the state and
into other states without restrictions, and improves
international trading options.
WA will retain its BJD Free Zone provided any
disease found is eradicated.
Extra surveillance is now required to demonstrate
that BJD is not present in WA.
Cattle Council $ incentive
Surveillance must be conducted to provide
evidence of freedom from BJD and is critical to
maintaining our Free Zone status.
The national Cattle Council of Australia has
provided funds to WA to cover $300 for an
investigation plus $225 for necropsy (plus GST) to
cattle owners for disease investigations by private
veterinarians where they fit the case description
given below.
BJD in WA
What is the role of veterinarians?
Nine cases of BJD were detected in cattle in WA
between 1952 and 2006. In each case the disease
was in imported cattle. Infection was found to have
spread to WA cattle in the 2006 incident. The
disease was successfully eradicated in all cases.
Producers have been asked to observe cattle over
three years of age and contact a private
veterinarian if they see clinical signs of:
In 2013, bulls from a BJD infected stud in
Queensland were traced to properties in the
Kimberley.
Cattle industry members agreed that the response
to this incident should aim to retain WA’s Free
Zone status.
The properties are undergoing investigation
including slaughter and testing of traced bulls and
herd testing. Compensation for the bulls
slaughtered and testing costs are covered by the
Cattle Industry Funding Scheme.
Will WA retain its free zone status?
Testing is being conducted on properties receiving
animals from the infected stud. Five properties
remain under quarantine.
Supporting your success
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scouring (for more than three weeks despite a
worm drench)
wasting (weight loss for more than three weeks
despite adequate nutrition).
If you consider the case is eligible for the rebate
please conduct an investigation and fill out the
rebate claim form.
Sampling
Collect blood and faecal samples from 3–10
affected animals. If a necropsy is conducted,
submit a full range of both fresh and fixed samples.
Submit samples, together with the rebate claim
form, to the Animal Health Laboratories, South
Perth. The Department of Agriculture and Food,
Western Australia (DAFWA) will pay freight costs.
CCA rebate claim form
For more information contact:
Both the investigating veterinarian and the cattle
producer must sign the rebate claim form. Please
send the form together with the samples to AHL.
Dr Tom De Ridder, Veterinary Officer
The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western
Australia
Phone: +61 (0)8 9194 1420
Email: thomas.deridder@agric.wa.gov.au
Claim forms and further information are available in
the Sponsored Veterinary Investigations Kits
available from your DAFWA veterinary officer. Visit
agric.wa.gov.au to find your regional DAFWA
veterinary officer.
Payment of CCA $ rebate
The rebate of $300 for each investigation, plus
$225 for a necropsy (plus GST), will be paid by
DAFWA on behalf of Cattle Council to your client.
The value of negative tests
If BJD is excluded as the cause of cattle illness this
adds confidence there are no other cases of BJD in
WA.
A message from WA’s Cattle Council
representatives
“Cattle Council supports the WA cattle industry
in maintaining its Free Zone status for BJD.
“Cattle Council will provide a rebate for
investigations into the cause of cattle ill health
where signs are similar to BJD.
“We encourage you to take up this incentive
and contact your private veterinarian. Negative
results provide evidence that BJD is not in
WA.”
Geoff Pearson (WA Farmers)
David Lovelock (PGA)
What if tests are positive for BJD?
Producers have been advised that this is extremely
unlikely. The rebate for investigations is being
provided because it is expected the results will be
negative.
If tests results are positive for BJD, a DAFWA
Veterinary Officer will contact you and conduct
further investigations.
A joint initiative of Cattle Council of Australia and the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia.
Important disclaimer
The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Agriculture and Food and the State of Western Australia
accept no liability whatsoever by reason of negligence or otherwise arising from the use or release of this
information or any part of it.
Copyright © Western Australian Agriculture Authority, 2013