Palaszczuk Government committed to protect herds from JD

The Palaszczuk Government will continue to work with livestock producers to protect herds from Johne’s Disease.

Agriculture Minister Leanne Donaldson said the Government was committed to working within the national system to raise awareness and capabilities in Johne’s Disease management to benefit all Queensland livestock producers.

“The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries established the Johne’s Disease review committee specifically to represent the Queensland livestock industry during more than a year of consultation," the Minister said.

“Producers introducing stock onto their properties should already be seeking assurances about the health of the stock as part of property biosecurity management plans. This approach will continue under the new framework."

“The Government stands by its record on biosecurity and is committed to repair the damage caused by the LNP’s damaging cuts and the dismissal of 26% of Biosecurity Queensland’s workforce."

The Minister said claims made in an LNP media statement yesterday are a deliberate attempt to spread fear.

“We might have a new Shadow Minister but sadly we have the same groundless and pathetic scaremongering from the LNP,” Minister Donaldson said.

“Dale Last’s comments are ill-informed and irresponsible and show he has no understanding of the level of industry consultation that has occurred.

“It is grossly misleading to claim that adopting a national program on JD management will lead to ‘open slather’ in Queensland.

“JD is and will remain a notifiable disease in Queensland.”

The Minister said the changes are consistent with the aims and objectives of the Biosecurity Act 2014 which had bi-partisan support during the Newman Government.

“Mr Last may not be aware but the Biosecurity Act was introduced by the former LNP government and passed with bipartisan support in 2014. 

“He appears to be indicating that the LNP does not now support legislation it introduced when in government.

“If he had any understanding of the process he would know that the new policy has been developed in consultation with the livestock industries in Queensland consistent with the principles of the Biosecurity Act.

“The changes will lessen the impacts of regulatory control on affected producers and allow them to manage biosecurity risks in a way that best suits their enterprise.

“I call on Mr Last to stop scaremongering and commit his support for this important legislation.”

ENDS

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