April 20, 2007

Disease testing becomes costly for Australian farmers

Due increasing costs in pathology tests as well as shortage of veterinarians, the Australian Department of Primary Industries (DPI) are facing difficulties in monitoring the health of the country's livestock animals.

According to Australian journal, The Weekly Times, veterinary pathology costs have jumped by as much as 275 percent in the past four years.

Australian Veterinary Association vice president Matt Makin said the price hike coupled with drought made it harder to convince farmers of the merits of testing.

The DPI keeps no record of how much testing is being conducted across the state. Its performance in monitoring and controlling disease was blasted by farmers in its recent handling of anthrax outbreak in northern Victoria.