June 6, 2011

Ticks discovered in Australian cattle

Ticks have been detected on a consignment of cattle at the Roma saleyards in Australia.

The cattle came from a property near Charleville, and livestock movements from that property will now be restricted.

The Charleville landholding joins the list of over 20 properties near Muttaburra, Torrens Creek and Jericho where ticks have been discovered well outside the traditional tick zone of Queensland.

Malcolm McLeod, principal policy officer for ticks with Biosecurity Queensland, said the Roma saleyard complex itself is not considered to be tick-infested, as the ticky cattle were quickly identified and quarantined from other livestock at the yards.

He said investigations into the ongoing outbreaks are continuing, but rejects criticisms that regulations are not working.

"Historically we have had odd seasons where tick outbreaks have occurred outside the tick zone," he said.

"The system has been there for a long time and we believe it works."

He said they do not believe the tick outbreaks are due to a failure of Biosecurity Queensland or third-party inspectors to identify ticks in regular inspections.

"No, I believe that system works very well.

"Someone could have moved cattle or other livestock illegally. We have got to investigate all those options and the staff is out there now."