Proceedings of the 10th International Colloquium on Paratuberculosis

#182
An integrated risk based approach to <strong>the</strong> management <strong>of</strong> Johne’s disease in
Australia
Lorna Citer 1 , David Kennedy 2 ,
1. Manager Endemic Disease, Animal Health Australia 2. Technical Adviser National Johne’s
Disease Control Program, Animal Health Australia.
ABSTRACT
Australia’s National Johne’s Disease Control Program was established in 1996 to provide
effective coordination <strong>of</strong> Johne's disease programs across all states, territories and affected
industries.
The program aims to protect <strong>the</strong> favourable status <strong>of</strong> Johne's disease in large parts <strong>of</strong>
Australia and reduce <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> disease and control measures on industries by
managing <strong>the</strong> risk across a number <strong>of</strong> affected species and <strong>the</strong> impacts that one industry’s
control strategy could have on ano<strong>the</strong>r industry.
The initial approach, based on Market Assurance Programs (MAPs) at <strong>the</strong> farm level
and a traditional model <strong>of</strong> regulatory animal disease control, was inadequate within endemic
areas as Johne’s disease continued to spread. Affected industries and governments sought
better management strategies which resulted in <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> additional management
tools. As a result, Australian industries have moved toward risk-based trading for endemically
infected regions, with governments taking a more targeted regulatory approach in o<strong>the</strong>r
regions.
Operational assurance systems, such as <strong>the</strong> Assurance Based Credit (ABC) scheme
for sheep, Beef Only and Q-Alpaca have been developed for each industry sector. These are
supported by nationally standardised written declarations which identify <strong>the</strong> level <strong>of</strong>
assurance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> animals being sold or moved. The declarations are known as “national
animal health statements” and are supported by state legislation to ensure <strong>the</strong> integrity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
statements that are made by producers.
BACKGROUND
The Australian National Johne’s Disease Control Program (NJDCP) is a cooperative program
involving Australian livestock industries, government and <strong>the</strong> veterinary pr<strong>of</strong>ession and
managed by Animal Health Australia (see Figure 1).
NJDCP
Goats Deer
Alpaca
Sheep
Cattle
National OJD
Management
NBJD Strategic
Plan
Plan
Figure 1. Structure <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Australian National Johne’s Disease Control Program
The earliest national approaches comprised:
• Voluntary Australian Johne’s Disease Market Assurance Programs (MAPs) at <strong>the</strong>
farm level;
• Traditional state regulatory animal disease control programs based on quarantine and
area movement restrictions conforming with a set <strong>of</strong> nationally agreed Standard
Definitions and Rules; and.
• National standards for diagnostic tests.
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