TSE surveillance
Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies Surveillance
Australia is free of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE – Mad Cow Disease) and has been designated a "negligible risk" status (the lowest risk) by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
To maintain this vital disease-free status, producers are asked to support the National Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies Surveillance Program (NTSESP).
The NTSESP surveillance system is consistent with the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code – crucial for the beef industry’s exports as it means all countries which import cattle from Australia can be assured we remain free of these diseases. The program is managed by Animal Health Australia in conjunction with industry, the Australian Government and state and territory animal health agencies.
The NTSESP is a targeted component of Australia's overall disease surveillance effort, which comprises both general and targeted surveillance. General surveillance includes pre- and post-slaughter inspection at meatworks, inspection of animals at saleyards, farm visits by veterinarians and results from laboratory testing.
A key element of the NTSESP is surveillance for unexplained neurological signs. Some hereditary diseases, plant poisonings, infectious diseases and musculoskeletal conditions can result in signs that mimic those of TSEs. Resolving the causes of these conditions – through NTSESP investigations - gives additional confidence that Australia's comprehensive approach to surveillance is detecting rare neurological diseases and ruling out TSEs.
It is your responsibility
All sheep and cattle producers have a responsibility towards the NTSESP to protect their industries and maintain overseas markets.
Brain samples from cattle and sheep showing symptoms of nervous disorders are required to meet annual quotas for testing under the NTSESP. Producers receive incentives for offering suitable specimens for examination, with cattle between four and seven years of age and displaying behavioural or clinical signs consistent with BSE achieving the greatest points. Animals showing progressive behavioural changes such as excitability or apprehension or progressive neurological signs are suitable candidates.
What can you do?
Report stock with nervous signs to your local stock inspector or veterinary officer at your local Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation office, or by phoning 132 523.
The national surveillance program creates and maintains overseas market access for Australian meat products where food safety and product integrity are critical issues in trade negotiation meetings.
Australia is free of TSEs, including Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (Mad Cow Disease) in cattle and scrapie in sheep, but needs to continue to prove this in order to maintain overseas market access.
It is your responsibility
All sheep and cattle producers have a responsibility towards the National Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Surveillance Program to protect their industries and maintain overseas markets.
Brain samples from cattle and sheep showing symptoms of nervous disorders are needed by the Queensland cattle and sheep industries to meet annual quotas for testing under the NTSESP. The program includes funding for producers submitting relevant stock.
The international animal health organisation, OIE, has introduced a points system for TSE surveillance whereby cattle in different categories are eligible for different points. Cattle between four and seven years of age displaying behavioural or clinical signs consistent with BSE achieve the greatest points.
It is important that producers continue to contact Biosecurity Queensland officers if they have cattle or sheep showing appropriate clinical signs. They should inform the Biosecurity inspector or veterinary officer at the local DPI&F office.
Animals showing progressive behavioural changes such as excitability or apprehension or progressive neurological signs are suitable candidates.
Producers will be paid incentives under the NTSESP to encourage the investigation of suitable animals and the submission of suitable specimens for examination.
What can you do?
Report stock with nervous signs to your local QDPI stock inspector or veterinary officer at your local office, or by phoning 13 25 23.
Australia is free of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE – Mad Cow Disease) and has been designated a "negligible risk" status (the lowest risk) by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
To maintain this vital disease-free status, producers are asked to support the National Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies Surveillance Program (NTSESP).
The NTSESP surveillance system is consistent with the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code – crucial for the beef industry’s exports as it means all countries which import cattle from Australia can be assured we remain free of these diseases. The program is managed by Animal Health Australia in conjunction with industry, the Australian Government and state and territory animal health agencies.
The NTSESP is a targeted component of Australia's overall disease surveillance effort, which comprises both general and targeted surveillance. General surveillance includes pre- and post-slaughter inspection at meatworks, inspection of animals at saleyards, farm visits by veterinarians and results from laboratory testing.
A key element of the NTSESP is surveillance for unexplained neurological signs. Some hereditary diseases, plant poisonings, infectious diseases and musculoskeletal conditions can result in signs that mimic those of TSEs. Resolving the causes of these conditions – through NTSESP investigations - gives additional confidence that Australia's comprehensive approach to surveillance is detecting rare neurological diseases and ruling out TSEs.
It is your responsibility
All sheep and cattle producers have a responsibility towards the NTSESP to protect their industries and maintain overseas markets.
Brain samples from cattle and sheep showing symptoms of nervous disorders are required to meet annual quotas for testing under the NTSESP. Producers receive incentives for offering suitable specimens for examination, with cattle between four and seven years of age and displaying behavioural or clinical signs consistent with BSE achieving the greatest points. Animals showing progressive behavioural changes such as excitability or apprehension or progressive neurological signs are suitable candidates.
What can you do?
Report stock with nervous signs to your local stock inspector or veterinary officer at your local Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation office, or by phoning 132 523.
The national surveillance program creates and maintains overseas market access for Australian meat products where food safety and product integrity are critical issues in trade negotiation meetings.
Australia is free of TSEs, including Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (Mad Cow Disease) in cattle and scrapie in sheep, but needs to continue to prove this in order to maintain overseas market access.
It is your responsibility
All sheep and cattle producers have a responsibility towards the National Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Surveillance Program to protect their industries and maintain overseas markets.
Brain samples from cattle and sheep showing symptoms of nervous disorders are needed by the Queensland cattle and sheep industries to meet annual quotas for testing under the NTSESP. The program includes funding for producers submitting relevant stock.
The international animal health organisation, OIE, has introduced a points system for TSE surveillance whereby cattle in different categories are eligible for different points. Cattle between four and seven years of age displaying behavioural or clinical signs consistent with BSE achieve the greatest points.
It is important that producers continue to contact Biosecurity Queensland officers if they have cattle or sheep showing appropriate clinical signs. They should inform the Biosecurity inspector or veterinary officer at the local DPI&F office.
Animals showing progressive behavioural changes such as excitability or apprehension or progressive neurological signs are suitable candidates.
Producers will be paid incentives under the NTSESP to encourage the investigation of suitable animals and the submission of suitable specimens for examination.
What can you do?
Report stock with nervous signs to your local QDPI stock inspector or veterinary officer at your local office, or by phoning 13 25 23.