IMC activities in 2013/14
Since the introduction of the IFS in 2010, the Industry Management Committee (IMC) has governed the collection, management and use of industry funds to deliver a biosecurity Scheme that benefits the Western Australian cattle industry.
During the 2013/14 year, the Cattle IMC held four ordinary meetings, one teleconference and one workshop. The focus of these meetings was to receive briefings and make decisions around the collection and remittance of producer contributions, progress of the IFS-funded programs and the general governance and effectiveness of the Scheme.
Summary of key IMC activities during 2013/14
- implementation of the third round of cattle R&D grants
- discussion with the Biosecurity Council of Western Australian on biosecurity roles, responsibilities and principles
- monitoring R&D project delivery
- four committee meetings, one teleconference, one workshop
- strategic planning
- monitoring agent/processor remittance of contributions
- communication and promotion of the IFS to industry
- determining the 2014/15 IFS contribution rate, area of operation and programs
- industry consultation around the reinstatement of HGP-related regulations and the use of industry funds for regulatory activities.
Communications activities
- presentations at industry forums and meetings
- information brochures available at major field days and industry events
- several media releases resulting in articles in the rural press
- articles in regional AgMemos and other industry newsletters
- continued maintenance of the IFS information on our website.
Strategic planning: As identified through the review of the IFS regulations, the IMC took part in an intensive strategic planning workshop to clearly define the purpose and role of the committee, and identify the goals for the committee to achieve. The workshop was facilitated by a qualified facilitator on 11 November 2013, and included invited industry representatives. The Strategic Plan has since been finalised and endorsed by the Committee. The plan is available from the Cattle IFS strategic plan webpage.
From this, the Committee have developed and started implementing an activity plan. This plan identifies the activities the Committee need to undertake in order to achieve their goals.
HGP legislation: In September 2013, the IMC were presented with a proposal requesting IFS funding for the enforcement, communication and management of hormonal growth promotant (HGP) related legislation in Western Australia. The Committee undertook industry consultation to confirm the WA cattle industry were in support of a) the reinstatement of regulations around the use of HGPs; and b) the use of industry funds for the activities to ensure compliance with the regulations (if they were to be reinstated). Based on the feedback received from the WA cattle industry, the IMC agreed to provide funding of up to $21 500 for HGP-related activities (to be reviewed annually). The IMC were not unanimous in this decision.
Compliance with the IFS regulations: The IMC has actively monitored the remittance of contributions by stock agents and cattle processors to ensure compliance with the regulations and maximise the funds available to address biosecurity issues of concern to the industry. Where discrepancies occurred, DAFWA followed this up with the agents/processors to successfully resolve the situation.
Communication activities: The IMC have taken part in various communication activities over the year. The main aims of the communications were to:
- ensure Scheme participants were aware of the IFS area of operation, contribution rate, programs and activities; and
- encourage industry feedback on the operation of the Scheme and functioning of the IMC.
Determination of 2014/15 Scheme: At its April 2014 meeting, the IMC confirmed the continuation of the surveillance program for bovine Johne’s disease (BJD), enzootic bovine leucosis and bovine tuberculosis into 2014/15, as well as the Kimberley BJD surveillance program. To fund the programs, a contribution rate of 20 cents per head/carcass was recommended to the Minister for Agriculture and Food, to apply to the sale of cattle produced within the WA.
The Minister endorsed the contribution rate and the area of operation, as published in the Western Australian Government Gazette (no. 75, 23 May 2014).
2014/15 research and development: At their meeting held in February 2014, the IMC agreed to hold the third competitive funding round for quality research and development (R&D) projects that would benefit the WA cattle industry. Projects are funded from the annual interest accrued on the previous Cattle Industry Compensation Fund (ex-CICF), for up to three years at a maximum rate of $50 000 per year.
A call for preliminary project proposals was promoted to the industry, government and research organisations for projects that aimed to:
- increase productivity/profitability
- develop sustainable industry practice
- promote market success
- enhance industry capability
- improve cattle health; and/or
- improve cattle industry biosecurity.
Ten preliminary proposals were received. These were assessed by the IMC in April, with full project proposals requested from two proponents.
The two full project proposals were assessed by the IMC and discussed at a teleconference in June. The IMC agreed to provide funding for one of the projects in 2014/15 (Table 1).
Table 1 New R&D project to be funded in 2014/15
| Title | Description | Time | IFS cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Define the extent and epidemiology of Theileria orientalis infection in cattle in south coastal areas of WA | Bovine theileriosis is an arthropod-borne disease resulting in severe anaemia in both dairy and beef herds. The disease was diagnosed in WA for the first time in April 2013. This project will examine the extent of the disease within WA, and how the disease is transmitted under WA conditions. | 1 year | $50 600 |
The IMC also monitored the delivery of the current R&D projects via the annual reporting process to ensure projects are on track to delivering benefits to the WA cattle industry.