RLPBs advise on changes to OJD

Rural Lands Protection Boards (RLPBs) are playing a key role in advising farmers of changes to managing the risk of ovine Johne’s disease (OJD) when buying and trading sheep.

In a move to streamline trading arrangements, nationally agreed changes to the Assurance Based Credit (ABC) Scheme will come into effect on 31 March this year.

The changes include reducing the number of Prevalence Areas across the State from four to three and new ABC points allocated based on the risk of infected flocks existing in each of these areas.

As the frontline public animal health service in NSW, RLPBs are ideally placed to explain the changes and help sheep producers understand how the new Prevalence Area boundaries and points system will affect them.

State Council of Rural Lands Protection Boards Animal Health Manager, Stephen Ottaway, said a risk-based trading system for farmers was the most effective way to manage and control OJD.

"Sheep can still be sourced from any region but the points associated with the new Prevalence Areas better quantify the risk that stock from these areas represent."

"These changes are necessary as abattoir surveillance over the last two years has shown that the prevalence of OJD has changed in some parts of Australia," Stephen Ottaway said.

"Prospective purchasers should ensure that the sheep they are looking to buy have a score the same or higher than their own flock to reduce the risk of bringing the disease onto their property."

"Local Boards will be on hand to provide advice and distribute information and Prevalence Area maps regarding the changes," Stephen Ottaway said.

Farmers are also advised that the NSW Sheep Health Statement has been replaced with a National Sheep Health Statement which will also come into effect from 31 March. This new document is no longer valid as a Travelling Stock Statement (TSS) so a National Vendor Declaration (NVD) and waybill or stand alone TSS is required when moving stock.

ABC points are still available for vaccination, testing for OJD, for Abattoir Surveillance 700 and 200 tests and to assist quantifying the risk status of sheep.

For further information on the new Prevalence Area boundaries and associated ABC points or to download blank copies of the National Sheep Health Statement visit the OJD website www.ojd.com.au or get in touch with your local Rural Lands Protection Board.