Fit to trade bulletin

Emergency animal diseases focus of training

Muchea Livestock Centre stock handlers and operational managers participated in four workshops on impact, detection and reporting of emergency animal diseases presented by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

The clinical signs and impact of some of Western Australia’s important exotic disease threats were the focus of four workshops presented to WA industry by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).

Workshops coordinator, DPIRD field veterinary officer Rod Thompson, said that the workshops were well attended by industry, including 72 saleyard workers, 117 stock and merchandise agents, 70 livestock transporters, as well as 110 veterinary and agricultural science students.

“The diseases covered included foot-and-mouth disease, transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (mad cow disease) and screw-worm fly,” Dr Thompson said.

“Early detection of an incursion of any exotic disease would dramatically reduce the impact and increase the likelihood of eradication, protecting Western Australia’s valuable livestock export industries.

“It remains critical that people working in the livestock industry recognise and report signs of disease to a veterinarian.”

All sectors of industry have a responsibility to report unusual signs of disease by calling their local vet, DPIRD vet or the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

For more information, contact Rod Thompson, veterinary officer Northam on +61 (0)8 9690 2156 or your local DPIRD field veterinary officer.

The workshops were funded by Royalties for Regions.