December 4, 2019

Queensland, Australia set to change lay cattle pregnancy testing regulations

The new regulations will mean more people will be able to conduct cattle pregnancy testing and ovarian scanning for commercial purposes and scientific research, reported North Queensland Register.

Mark Furner, Agriculture minister said only veterinary surgeons were authorised to conduct cattle pregnancy testing and ovarian scanning for payment.

He said the new changes will benefit the dairy and cattle industry, especially in northwest Queensland where cattle producers do not have veterinary surgeons constantly available to conduct cattle pregnancy tests for herd management and live export.

He added that animal welfare concerns can be reported under the amended regulations, noting that the government sought input from various related parties during the consultation period – veterinary surgeons, cattle pregnancy testing specialists, interested laypersons, beef and dairy producers, live exporters, animal welfare representatives, peak industry bodies and the community.

The Queensland government will work together with the industry to set the amended regulations by next year. Issues related to accreditation will be resolved by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and interested stakeholders.

Australian Cattle Veterinarians (ACV) have voiced their concerns regarding the new regulations. They said it would affect animal welfare, disease surveillance, exotic disease preparedness and live export markets.

Dr. Ian Bradshaw, ACV president said lay pregnancy testers may not deliver similar levels of diagnostic accuracy compared to qualified veterinarians.

Will Wilson, AgForce cattle president said the body appreciates the government's measure that assists cattle producers in Queensland, and aims to create a reliable industry-based accreditation scheme as soon as possible.

Wilson added that the new regulations is about improving access to timely and cost-effective cattle pregnancy testing for producers, not about taking business away from vets or dropping standards.

-      North Queensland Register