The Western Australian Farmers Federation (Inc.) (WAFarmers) is pleased to see that Enzootic Bovine Leukosis (EBL), an infectious viral disease that affects cattle, has been eradicated from all dairy cattle herds in Australia.

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Hon. Tony Burke, and the Chairman of Australia Dairy Industry Council, Mr Wes Judd, this week stated that Australian dairy exporters will benefit from improved market access due to all dairy herds within Australia found to be free from EBL.

WAFarmers Dairy Section President, Peter Evans, noted that with this eradication Australia has achieved Provisional Freedom, but will need to continue testing for the next three years to make certain that all herds continue to be free of EBL.

“Following the initial three year surveillance, there will need to be continued monitoring at a low level to ensure that the Australian dairy herds are constantly free of EBL,” said Mr Evans.

“The main benefit for Australia in being declared EBL free is that our main trade competitors are also EBL free or moving in that direction, so local producers will no longer be disadvantaged in any overseas markets.

“The eradication of EBL has been successful due to a national collaborative effort by members of the eradication program and dairy industry.”

It is known that beef cattle can be carriers of EBL, with this source being of ongoing risk to the diary industry. This risk is extremely low.

“Although the risk of EBL being reintroduced into dairy herds from beef cattle is very low, it is still important that all dairy producers remain vigilant and ensure that equipment being used on dairy properties between dairy and beef cattle is sterilized appropriately,” Mr Evans concluded.