Queensland Takes a New Approach on Ticks

AUSTRALIA - A more effective approach to managing cattle ticks in Queensland is a step closer with a review of inspection services kicking off this week.

27 May 2009

2 minute read

Oceania

AgForce Cattle acting president Grant Maudsley, who chairs the State’s cattle tick management committee, welcomes the review as essential to ensure producers can access appropriate cattle tick inspection services across Queensland.

“The review is an opportunity for producers to have their say on how Biosecurity Queensland, within the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI), rolls out inspection services to manage cattle ticks,” Mr Maudsley said.

“It is not often that producers – whether they are large or small operators – have a chance to make comments on the system for tick management, so this is an opportunity that should not be wasted.

“Many producers have been commenting for years about problems with tick services and this review will finally let them comment constructively to ensure the department gets services right.”

Currently, DEEDI employs trained people to perform or supervise the inspection and treatment of stock, at 15 centres across Queensland. These ‘third party approved persons’ were appointed for three years with an option to extend the arrangement by an additional year. Many centres have completed the three years and took the option to extend.

DEEDI is now seeking a critical assessment of the methods and systems for cattle tick inspection and clearance services, to assess if the current approach is appropriate from a technical and business perspective.

“The cattle tick management committee has some tough decisions to make, so the review is important to gather producer input,” Mr Maudsley said.

“We need to balance the viability of services provided on the tick line versus the desire to allow these clearance services to move off the tick line, and also ensure third party providers are up to the task of delivering these services. Recommendations made to DEEDI will also focus on providing on-property clearance of ticks in a way which is best for the whole system.”

Mr Maudsley said the potential for scarcity of funding in DEEDI would impact the delivery of services, so producers’ comments are critical to securing investment in managing cattle ticks.