Synopsis of the recommendations contained in 'Review of the management of ovine Johne's disease in NSW', a report from Richard Bull, March 2008

The review’s terms of reference requested feedback and advice on a number of issues:

• the effectiveness of the Exclusion Areas;
• the need to maintain the transaction-based Contribution Scheme;
• the patterns of disease prevalence;
• disease management issues; and
• the role of abattoir surveillance.

(See the full report.)

The effectiveness of the Exclusion Areas

Recommendation 1

Exclusion Areas be officially renamed Regional Risk Management Areas (RRMA) but can use their existing literature with the name Exclusion Area.

Recommendation 2

Exclusion Area orders be amended to include:

1. New areas must have a vote showing 50% support with at least 50% voting and must be of low prevalence status.
2. Boards must randomly survey 33.3% of producers every 3rd year with 50% of those supporting continuation of the Exclusion Area.
3. Boards must produce an annual report for producers and the Director General showing the level of compliance with reporting movements to boards, risks identified and actions taken.
4. DPI take samples of movements identified through Post Sale Summaries and provide these to boards to check compliance with requirements for notification.
5. Area based points allocated to Low Prevalence Areas has been reduced, Boards may promote minimum entry points although these can not be supported by regulation.
6. ABC points are based on technical data; RRMA wishing to gain an additional point for being a RRMA must technically justify their claim to the Animal Health Committee.

The need to maintain the Transaction based Contribution Scheme

Recommendation 3

1. The order for the OJD Transaction Contribution Scheme be revoked.
2. Remaining funds be invested by the RAA for future use of the OJD Program.
3. Funds be used for research or other elements related to OJD in NSW
4. The OJD Industry Advisory (IAC) Committee approve expenditure

Recommendation 4. The OJD IAC:

1. have its role and responsibilities redefined,
2. oversee the OJD Industry Fund,
3. be responsible for promoting NSW industry’s view to DPI and the Industry Management Committee (oversights national plan), and
4. role be examined after 2 years.

Recommendation 5

The IAC approve expenditure from the OJD Industry Fund on behalf of industry.

The patterns of disease prevalence

Observations

• Gudair has reduced numbers found positive and the incidence of lesions to below 2% within lines. This demonstrates Gudair’s efficacy.
• OJD continues to gradually spread along boundaries, attention needs to be paid to this issue.
• Sheep numbers have declined, this will also have affected spread and development of the disease.
• Risks have occurred in Exclusion Areas and been dealt with; this supports the Exclusion Area protocols

Disease management issues

Recommendation 6

The Market Assurance Program to continue with costs met by participating producers.

Observations

• A safer vaccine to overcome OH&S issues is required. MLA and AHA are committing funds to this [Editor comment: USDA has committed $40,000,000 & EU has committed €31,000,00 to Mptb]. NSW DPI/industry may need to be active in this area as well.
• Support the national Sheep Health Statement.

Recommendation 7

The Sheep Health Statement be distributed with the NVD book through the Livestock Production Assurance system.

Recommendation 8

Issuers of RLPB permits for TSR and public roads consider a Sheep Health Statement when making a decision.

In relation to the national plan:

Observation

• The Review found little knowledge about the national plan and a lack of consultation at grass roots level in its development. Once producers are aware they should find much to support in the national plan.

Recommendation 9

RLPB should assume lead agency in relation to extension activities for OJD.

Recommendation 10

Rural Lands Protection Boards should use Animal Health Australia’s advisory materials for extension.

The role of abattoir surveillance

Observation

• Despite the reduction in testing in NSW under the national plan NSW should support this new level of surveillance.

Recommendation 11

Insist national program provide negative feedback to producers within 4 weeks of slaughter on a web based facility along with results for other conditions detected during surveillance.

Recommendation 12

National program should investigate occasional testing on a seasonal basis at selected export works that are not currently included in the program.

See the full report.