Queensland takes new approach on cattle ticks

Queensland cattle producers are taking on a more effective approach to manage cattle ticks as a review of inspection services start this week.

The review is essential to ensure producers can access appropriate cattle tick inspection services across Queensland, said AgForce Cattle acting President Grant Maudsley, who chairs the state's cattle tick management committee.

The review is a chance for producers to have their say on how Biosecurity Queensland of the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) rolls out inspection services to manager cattle ticks, Maudsley said.

DEEDI currently employs trained personnel 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 had chosen to extend.

DEEDI now seeks a critical assessment of the methods and systems for cattle tick inspection and clearance services to determine if the current approach is viable from a technical and business perspective.

The cattle tick management committee needs to make some tough decisions and the review will help by gathering producer input, 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, he said.