THREE years after SA processors moved away from mandatory testing for ovine Johne's Disease, sheep producers are now able to opt in for automatic inspections when they send sheep to participating abattoirs.
If producers opt in, every mutton line sent to the abattoir under their Property Identification Code will be inspected for JD by trained inspectors.
Previously, inspection had to be requested for each line, prior to sending animals to the abattoir.
Producers can opt in or out of inspections at any time.
The automatic inspections are only available for animals over two years of age at the Thomas Foods International Lobethal abattoir at this stage.
JD is not easily identifiable on farm and through abattoir surveillance it can be detected before significant levels of disease and production losses occur.
Producers can also use abattoir surveillance data to provide assurance their property is low risk for JD, for purposes including the National Sheep Health Declaration.
If lesions are detected in the intestines during processing, they will be tested for JD.
If the disease is subsequently detected, animal health advisers from PIRSA will work with producers and provide advice on how to proceed in management of the disease.
Any data collected remains confidential.
- Details: pir.sa.gov.au/jd-management
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