❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses concerns about Johne's Disease in livestock, inquiring about destruction policies, alternative approaches in New Zealand, and the role of copper levels in prevention and cure. The government acknowledges the issue, clarifies policies, and expresses skepticism about copper as a cure.
AnsweredQoN 378Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) I refer to concerns in agricultural areas over the impact of Johne’s Disease in cattle and Johne Innes Disease in sheep and goats and ask is the discovery of this disease in W.A. cattle, sheep and goat stocks always followed by destruction of all associated stock?
(2) If so, how long has this been the case in W.A.?
(3) What numbers of cattle, sheep and goats have been destroyed because of these diseases in the past five years?
(4) What dollar value has been attached to the herds/flocks destroyed?
(5) Is it correct that New Zealand does not subscribe to the policy of such destruction?
(6) If so, what are the factors in that country that are claimed to influence its policy?
(7) What is the W.A. Government view of the animal health consultant, Pat Coleby’s attitude that the disease is both preventable and curable and that the real objective is to ensure copper levels in stock are kept in balance?
(8) Does the Minister share Pat Coleby’s view that unless the copper deficiency is taken seriously “…we shall find ourselves without a livestock industry?”
(2) If so, how long has this been the case in W.A.?
(3) What numbers of cattle, sheep and goats have been destroyed because of these diseases in the past five years?
(4) What dollar value has been attached to the herds/flocks destroyed?
(5) Is it correct that New Zealand does not subscribe to the policy of such destruction?
(6) If so, what are the factors in that country that are claimed to influence its policy?
(7) What is the W.A. Government view of the animal health consultant, Pat Coleby’s attitude that the disease is both preventable and curable and that the real objective is to ensure copper levels in stock are kept in balance?
(8) Does the Minister share Pat Coleby’s view that unless the copper deficiency is taken seriously “…we shall find ourselves without a livestock industry?”
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
27 June 2001
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture
Response time
14 days
2. 1982. 3. On the one (1) infected property found in the last five years, approximately 3500 sheep and 450 goats have been or will be sent for slaughter. 4. Financial assistance provided to the owners took into account the market value of the animals. 5. Yes. 6. The New Zealand Johne's Disease Steering Committee reports that it is not feasible to develop national control/eradication programs. 7. The WA Government is not aware of any scientific evidence that is available to show that copper prevents or cures Johne's disease. 8. If copper deficiency is not managed we have a problem. Overcoming copper deficiency and maintenance of adequate copper nutrition is very important to the sustainability of WA agriculture.
3. On the one (1) infected property found in the last five years, approximately 3500 sheep and 450 goats have been or will be sent for slaughter. 4. Financial assistance provided to the owners took into account the market value of the animals. 5. Yes. 6. The New Zealand Johne's Disease Steering Committee reports that it is not feasible to develop national control/eradication programs. 7. The WA Government is not aware of any scientific evidence that is available to show that copper prevents or cures Johne's disease. 8. If copper deficiency is not managed we have a problem. Overcoming copper deficiency and maintenance of adequate copper nutrition is very important to the sustainability of WA agriculture.
4. Financial assistance provided to the owners took into account the market value of the animals. 5. Yes. 6. The New Zealand Johne's Disease Steering Committee reports that it is not feasible to develop national control/eradication programs. 7. The WA Government is not aware of any scientific evidence that is available to show that copper prevents or cures Johne's disease. 8. If copper deficiency is not managed we have a problem. Overcoming copper deficiency and maintenance of adequate copper nutrition is very important to the sustainability of WA agriculture.
5. Yes. 6. The New Zealand Johne's Disease Steering Committee reports that it is not feasible to develop national control/eradication programs. 7. The WA Government is not aware of any scientific evidence that is available to show that copper prevents or cures Johne's disease. 8. If copper deficiency is not managed we have a problem. Overcoming copper deficiency and maintenance of adequate copper nutrition is very important to the sustainability of WA agriculture.
6. The New Zealand Johne's Disease Steering Committee reports that it is not feasible to develop national control/eradication programs. 7. The WA Government is not aware of any scientific evidence that is available to show that copper prevents or cures Johne's disease. 8. If copper deficiency is not managed we have a problem. Overcoming copper deficiency and maintenance of adequate copper nutrition is very important to the sustainability of WA agriculture.
7. The WA Government is not aware of any scientific evidence that is available to show that copper prevents or cures Johne's disease. 8. If copper deficiency is not managed we have a problem. Overcoming copper deficiency and maintenance of adequate copper nutrition is very important to the sustainability of WA agriculture.
8. If copper deficiency is not managed we have a problem. Overcoming copper deficiency and maintenance of adequate copper nutrition is very important to the sustainability of WA agriculture.
3. On the one (1) infected property found in the last five years, approximately 3500 sheep and 450 goats have been or will be sent for slaughter. 4. Financial assistance provided to the owners took into account the market value of the animals. 5. Yes. 6. The New Zealand Johne's Disease Steering Committee reports that it is not feasible to develop national control/eradication programs. 7. The WA Government is not aware of any scientific evidence that is available to show that copper prevents or cures Johne's disease. 8. If copper deficiency is not managed we have a problem. Overcoming copper deficiency and maintenance of adequate copper nutrition is very important to the sustainability of WA agriculture.
4. Financial assistance provided to the owners took into account the market value of the animals. 5. Yes. 6. The New Zealand Johne's Disease Steering Committee reports that it is not feasible to develop national control/eradication programs. 7. The WA Government is not aware of any scientific evidence that is available to show that copper prevents or cures Johne's disease. 8. If copper deficiency is not managed we have a problem. Overcoming copper deficiency and maintenance of adequate copper nutrition is very important to the sustainability of WA agriculture.
5. Yes. 6. The New Zealand Johne's Disease Steering Committee reports that it is not feasible to develop national control/eradication programs. 7. The WA Government is not aware of any scientific evidence that is available to show that copper prevents or cures Johne's disease. 8. If copper deficiency is not managed we have a problem. Overcoming copper deficiency and maintenance of adequate copper nutrition is very important to the sustainability of WA agriculture.
6. The New Zealand Johne's Disease Steering Committee reports that it is not feasible to develop national control/eradication programs. 7. The WA Government is not aware of any scientific evidence that is available to show that copper prevents or cures Johne's disease. 8. If copper deficiency is not managed we have a problem. Overcoming copper deficiency and maintenance of adequate copper nutrition is very important to the sustainability of WA agriculture.
7. The WA Government is not aware of any scientific evidence that is available to show that copper prevents or cures Johne's disease. 8. If copper deficiency is not managed we have a problem. Overcoming copper deficiency and maintenance of adequate copper nutrition is very important to the sustainability of WA agriculture.
8. If copper deficiency is not managed we have a problem. Overcoming copper deficiency and maintenance of adequate copper nutrition is very important to the sustainability of WA agriculture.
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