Published Monday, 03 December, 2007 at 10:46 AM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Queensland tick battle gets world-class reinforcement
The Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries’ fight against cattle ticks is gaining further momentum with the recruitment of Cuban tick scientist Dr Manuel Rodriguez Valle.
“The addition of Dr Rodriquez Valle will enhance DPI&Fs’ already established reputation as a trend-setter in the field of tick control,’’ Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said.
“This includes work at the Tick Fever Centre (Wacol) to develop and produce vaccines against tick fever,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“The Centre pioneered the development of live vaccines for the control of these diseases and most manufacturing plants in other countries use these methods.
“Valuable research is also carried out at the Animal Research Institute at Yeerongpilly, where Dr Rodriguez Valle, will be based.
“The work at both centres plays a crucial role in ensuring Queensland clean, green image and protecting the lucrative beef industry.
“The cattle and calf industry alone is worth more than $3.5 billion to Queensland’s economy with a substantial profit of $175 million sliced off the top of that due to the impact of ticks just in the northern regions.
”Dr Rodriguez Valle specialised in genetic engineering and molecular biology and was a key player in the development and trialling of Gavac a vaccine used to control the Boophilus microplus tick in Cuba.
“Cattle ticks affect countries all over the world but Australia needs to be vigilant in continuing to search for a vaccine due to the size of the industry,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
Dr Rodriguez Valle said he was looking forward to the challenge of helping to manage ticks in Australia.
“The process to come to here took about two years so I am really looking forward to learning about the country, what tick research is being conducted and finally working with the team I have heard so much about,” he said.
DPI&F science leader for the tick vaccine research group Dr Ala Lew said they were extremely lucky to have a scientist with Dr Rodriguez Valle’s experience.
“We have a huge group of scientists, researchers, technologists working on this project and it is extremely up-lifting to have someone who has already had such fantastic outcomes developing a vaccine,” Dr Lew said.
DPI&F scientists are leading the country in cattle tick vaccine research with economic benefits of a vaccine expected to reach $98 million.
The project is due to be completed in 2010.
Media:
Minister’s office 3239 6530
DPI&F Jacinda Chisholm 3896 9693
“The addition of Dr Rodriquez Valle will enhance DPI&Fs’ already established reputation as a trend-setter in the field of tick control,’’ Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said.
“This includes work at the Tick Fever Centre (Wacol) to develop and produce vaccines against tick fever,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“The Centre pioneered the development of live vaccines for the control of these diseases and most manufacturing plants in other countries use these methods.
“Valuable research is also carried out at the Animal Research Institute at Yeerongpilly, where Dr Rodriguez Valle, will be based.
“The work at both centres plays a crucial role in ensuring Queensland clean, green image and protecting the lucrative beef industry.
“The cattle and calf industry alone is worth more than $3.5 billion to Queensland’s economy with a substantial profit of $175 million sliced off the top of that due to the impact of ticks just in the northern regions.
”Dr Rodriguez Valle specialised in genetic engineering and molecular biology and was a key player in the development and trialling of Gavac a vaccine used to control the Boophilus microplus tick in Cuba.
“Cattle ticks affect countries all over the world but Australia needs to be vigilant in continuing to search for a vaccine due to the size of the industry,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
Dr Rodriguez Valle said he was looking forward to the challenge of helping to manage ticks in Australia.
“The process to come to here took about two years so I am really looking forward to learning about the country, what tick research is being conducted and finally working with the team I have heard so much about,” he said.
DPI&F science leader for the tick vaccine research group Dr Ala Lew said they were extremely lucky to have a scientist with Dr Rodriguez Valle’s experience.
“We have a huge group of scientists, researchers, technologists working on this project and it is extremely up-lifting to have someone who has already had such fantastic outcomes developing a vaccine,” Dr Lew said.
DPI&F scientists are leading the country in cattle tick vaccine research with economic benefits of a vaccine expected to reach $98 million.
The project is due to be completed in 2010.
Media:
Minister’s office 3239 6530
DPI&F Jacinda Chisholm 3896 9693