Australia's Johne's disease program has largely focused on voluntary herd/flock certification, on the regulatory control of infected herds and flocks and on restrictions on movements.

Objective

The national program has now developed new approaches that should eventually involve most livestock producers in managing Johne's disease. These aim to be more equitable and to encourage disease prevention and management.

Materials and methods

Different approaches are being taken in the various affected livestock industries, depending on the paratuberculosis situation. In the sheep industry, the Assurance Based Credits scheme is based on a formal quantitative risk assessment. All flocks and consignments of sheep can be scored between 0 and 10 depending on the background prevalence of infection in the region, test results and vaccination history. The Dairy Assurance Score is also a herd scoring system from 0 to 10, based on the results of herd testing and zone classification. In the two schemes, progeny can achieve higher scores through vaccination and calf rearing management respectively. Paratuberculosis is endemic in these industries, so herds or flocks that do not take action to manage paratuberculosis are given a low score. The schemes also provide pathways for improving scores by controlling disease. The goat industry is also developing a scoring system.In contrast, Johne's disease is rare in beef cattle and alpaca herds in Australia. Their new approaches classify herds that have had little or no contact with dairy cattle or with other high-risk animals as Beef Only and Q-Alpaca. Herd owners are encouraged to manage their biosecurity to protect the advantageous trading positions enjoyed by these low-risk statuses.

Results

Owners of herds and flocks with these scores or statuses are now declaring them in writing at the point of sale on nationally standardised animal health statements. Compliance is being monitored by audit.