Mr PALMER - 1996-05-16
Mr PALMER (Primary Industry and Fisheries): Mr Speaker, on Tuesday, the member for Nelson asked me a question in relation to a tuberculosis outbreak at the Coastal Plains Research Station. I undertook to provide her with further information.
Firstly, let me say that the TB outbreak in the buffalo herd at the CPRS is being dealt with in the same way as on any other property in the Northern Territory. An investigation program, approved under the national BTEC scheme, is being carried out at the CPRS. This involves the slaughter of some stock which were identified to be close contacts or recent progeny of known infected animals, and TB testing of all other buffalo and cattle to ascertain the extent of any disease spread within the herd. At the first test, 27 reactors to TB were found and 12 were slaughtered yesterday. Suspected tuberculosis was found in 6 2-year-old bulls.
On completion of the investigation program, an approved program for the eradication of tuberculosis from the herd will be developed. Any attempt to determine the future of the herd at this stage would be, I am told, imprudent. The future of the 3 privately-owned riverine bulls and two riverine cows has not yet been determined. This will depend on the results of the TB testing program being done. The investigation program will be completed over the next few weeks and an eradication program, which satisfies national requirements, will be developed in consultation with all affected parties. There has been, and will continue to be, consultation with the Buffalo Industry Council.
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Firstly, let me say that the TB outbreak in the buffalo herd at the CPRS is being dealt with in the same way as on any other property in the Northern Territory. An investigation program, approved under the national BTEC scheme, is being carried out at the CPRS. This involves the slaughter of some stock which were identified to be close contacts or recent progeny of known infected animals, and TB testing of all other buffalo and cattle to ascertain the extent of any disease spread within the herd. At the first test, 27 reactors to TB were found and 12 were slaughtered yesterday. Suspected tuberculosis was found in 6 2-year-old bulls.
On completion of the investigation program, an approved program for the eradication of tuberculosis from the herd will be developed. Any attempt to determine the future of the herd at this stage would be, I am told, imprudent. The future of the 3 privately-owned riverine bulls and two riverine cows has not yet been determined. This will depend on the results of the TB testing program being done. The investigation program will be completed over the next few weeks and an eradication program, which satisfies national requirements, will be developed in consultation with all affected parties. There has been, and will continue to be, consultation with the Buffalo Industry Council.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016