Biosecurity funding schemes to tackle pest threats
More than 99% of Western Australian cattle, sheep and goat producers and grain, seed and hay growers actively support the biosecurity of their industries by making financial contributions to WA’s Industry Funding Schemes.
Farmer contributions to Industry Funding Schemes will support a range of priority animal disease and pest control programs next financial year.
Executive Officer for the schemes, Rebecca Heath, said three-horned bedstraw, skeleton weed, virulent footrot and several cattle diseases were among the key issues to be targeted by the schemes in 2018/19.
“Industry-based management committees have determined which pest priorities are to be addressed, and made recommendations to the Minister for Agriculture and Food on the scheme’s areas of operation and the producer contribution rates,” Ms Heath said.
The schemes are an integral part of the State’s biosecurity system, helping to maintain access to domestic and international markets and supporting the viability and profitability of agricultural industries.
For the 2018/19 financial year the management committees have recommended that the contribution rates remain unchanged.
Cattle: 20 cent contribution on the sale of each animal/carcase to fund surveillance programs for bovine tuberculosis, enzootic bovine leucosis and Johne’s disease in cattle.
Sheep and goats: 10 cent contribution on the sale of each animal/carcase produced within the State, to fund a program to control virulent footrot. The Sheep and Goat Industry Funding Scheme management committee also anticipates funding a new program to address the impact of wild dogs on the industry. More information will be provided over the coming months.
Grains and seed: 25 cent contribution on the first sale of every tonne of grain and seed grown within the South West Land Division, to fund continuing programs to control skeleton weed and eradicate three-horned bedstraw.
Hay: 12.5 cents per tonne on the first sale of hay grown within the South West Land Division, to fund the skeleton weed and three-horned bedstraw programs.
Producers who wish to opt out of the scheme/s must submit a 2018/19 Notice of Opt Out form by 30 June 2018. Producers that opt out lose all entitlements to assistance and compensation via the scheme.
The continued support of producers for the schemes enables the WA livestock and grain/hay industries to identify and invest in biosecurity activities that help maintain our market advantage and the sustainability of the industries in Western Australia.
More information on the Industry Funding Schemes is available from the DPIRD website.
For more information contact Mar Hube, Manager, South Perth, on +61 (0)8 9368 3129.