CATTLE producers and other members of the public have until May 3 to provide comment on a recently-released discussion paper that will help determine the future of bovine Johne’s disease management in Australia.
BJD management in Australia is an important issue for cattle producers and it is currently being revised through the National BJD Review.
Animal Health Australia is co-ordinating the review on behalf of industry and government and is seeking submissions from all interested parties, said AHA’s executive manager of biosecurity Duncan Rowland.
"We welcome assistance from the general public and, specifically, interested cattle producers in helping to answer some of the questions that will eventually contribute to the repositioning of how BJD in cattle is dealt with into the future," Mr Rowland said.
"The 108 attendees at the recent BJD forum, held on February 16 in Sydney, were clear that they want to see a single, national approach that works across all cattle industry sectors including beef, stud, feedlot and dairy.
"Submissions on the discussion paper will be received from any interested parties up to midnight on May 3, 2015, with all submissions being made public, unless otherwise requested, and placed on the review’s webpage.
"The submissions will be used by the Review’s reference panel to progress the development of the review and the development of a national approach to the management of Johne’s disease in cattle.
Public consultation on the discussion paper is the second of four opportunities provided for public feedback on the development of future BJD activities in Australia.
"The reference panel will meet on May 15 to review the submissions and progress the development of the new plan. Once a draft plan has been developed it will also go out for public comment," Mr Rowland said.
The discussion paper and further information on the National BJD Review can be found on the AHA website.
Enquiries into the review can be sent to bjdreview@animalhealthaustralia.com.au.
