Western Australian livestock producers can find all the answers to their on-farm biosecurity questions at this year’s Wagin Woolorama on 9-10 March.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is partnering with industry representatives from Livestock Production Assurance and Livestock Biosecurity Network to provide a biosecurity information hub.
They will be on hand to meet with producers at the department’s shed to explain recent changes to strengthen the Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) accreditation system.
Integrity Systems Company customer services manager George Basha said the LPA program underpinned Australia’s reputation as a reliable supplier of safe red meat to domestic and international markets.
“LPA accreditation means the producer can provide an assurance that they have produced their meat safely and ethically,” Mr Basha said. “Upholding the integrity of this system is vital to sustain and grow our markets.
“At Woolorama, I will be walking producers through the accreditation system, how the enhanced system works, including the on-farm biosecurity plans and animal welfare components.”
Meat and Livestock Australia’s value chain program manager David Beatty, who recently managed International Business in the Middle East, will be available to talk to producers about the importance of Australia’s integrity systems to overseas customers.
There also will be an LPA question-and-answer session twice a day and LBN representative Frances Gartrell will discuss biosecurity planning and on-farm biosecurity.
DPIRD Livestock Biosecurity director Peter Gray said department field veterinarians would assist producers with completing on-farm biosecurity plans.
“Effective farm biosecurity plans help to protect producers’ livestock health and profits by reducing the opportunity for diseases to enter a property and increasing the chances that a disease issue will be detected early,” Dr Gray said.
For more information about LPA accreditation, see the LPA website [1] or contact Frances Gartrell at Livestock Biosecurity Network on Fgartrell@lbn.org.au [2] to register for the next WA information session.
For information about farm biosecurity, see the farm biosecurity website at farmbiosecurity.com.au.
[3]Media contacts: Jodie Thomson/Lisa Bertram, Media Liaison, +61 (0)8 9368 3937
