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All's sheepshape as OJD quarantine ends
19 Jan 2004
Goulburn has long been identified as NSW's fine wool capital. The showground's Great Southern Supreme Merinos field day and sale used to attract buyers from far and wide. But then came Ovine Johne's Disease, and a six-year national regulatory program introduced in 1998 all but destroyed the Goulburn stud sales. At its lowest point the quarantine restrictions reduced the sale to just 32 rams and a small number of stud farms.
But this weekend there were signs that the difficult times are ending: 100 rams were judged in the lead-up to the 2004 sale today.
From this week on, infected and suspect flocks can be traded freely within the high-prevalence and medium-prevalence areas of NSW. From July 1 onwards, all controls ruling sheep movements in NSW will be scrapped for animals that have been vaccinated.
Despite millions of dollars spent on OJD control over the past six years, the number of infected properties in NSW has increased from 584 in June 2001 to 1,150 in June 2003. At the same time, the way the OJD regulatory program was managed led to many families and friendships falling apart, as well as trust crumbling between farmers, vets and bureaucrats.
Sydney Morning Herald, 19/1/04.
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