June 29, 2009

Western Australian dairy exports have retained their competitive edge in world markets following negative test results for enzootic bovine leucosis (EBL).

The negative results have given the dairy herds in Western Australia EBL Monitored Free status, according to National Dairy Industry EBL Eradication Program WA representative Peter Evans.

Evans said the Department of Agriculture had managed the programme, supervised sample collection and carried out the laboratory tests.

While EBL is not a risk to human health, the Monitored Free status will help retain Western Australia's market access by match the EBL-free status of other major exporting countries, Evans said.

All 193 dairy herds in the state have now EBL Monitored Free. An infected dairy herd had culled all infected cattle and has now two clear herd tests, said Evans.

Evans said if the state is to maintain its EBL Monitored Free status, dairy farmers have to ask for a National Vendor Declaration (NVD) when bringing in new cattle. It is also important to test the cattle before moving them to a dairy farm.

Dairy herds that tested EBL-positive would be quarantined, Evans said.

If dairy herds are found to have EBL, infected cattle have to be culled and sales of cattle to other dairy farms will not be permitted until the infection has been eradicated, he said.