6 February 2008

2 minute read

Oceania

"I am pleased to announce an experienced six-person team, led by independent chair Nick Keatinge, treasurer of the National Farmers Federation, to provide advice to me in this critical area of cattle tick control," Minister Macdonald said

"I recently approved the formation of this committee to replace the former Board of Tick Control following a recommendation in the cattle tick inquiry report prepared by former Minister and Member for Orange Garry West.

"The new committee members are Terry Toohey, representing the NSW Farmer Association; John Willey, representing the Rural Lands Protection Boards; Malcolm Reid and Patricia Holt, representing the beef industry; and Fleur Tonge, representing the dairy industry.

"The executive officer for the Committee will be NSW Department of Primary Industries Senior Regional Animal Health Manager Paul Freeman.

"I welcome these new members to the Committee and look forward to working with them to effectively manage the cattle tick threat in NSW."

Minister Macdonald said the appointment of two former Board of Tick Control members - Malcolm Reid and Patricia Holt - will provide continuity for the new committee which will meet twice a year.

Mr Macdonald said cattle ticks and tick fever were notifiable diseases in NSW and the Iemma Government was committed to working with stockowners to control and eradicate cattle ticks in NSW. Apart from the appointment of this new committee, a number of initiatives have been announced by the Iemma Government in recent times, including:

• Producer contributions to the eradication of tick infestations kept at 25 per cent of the chemical cost.
  
• No change to the current movement conditions for cattle coming into NSW from the tick infected zone of Queensland.
  
• Tick fever vaccine available for producers intending to export their cattle to Queensland and Tick fever vaccine policy extended to allow the restricted use of the vaccine in a tick fever outbreak with Chief Veterinary Officer approval.
  
• An education program for new and existing rural property owners on the North Coast to increase producers’ ability to inspect their own stock so they can detect and report cattle tick infestations as soon as they occur.
  
• A $1 million upgrade and extension to electronic surveillance at border crossings between NSW and the Queensland Tick Infected Area.
  
• Use of imidocarb in NSW dairies now permitted under an Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) permit.
  
• NSW Police Rural Crimes Unit cooperating with DPI in operations in the north eastern part of the State, including checking for compliance with cattle tick requirements.

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