Information for QLD cattle producers on JBAS, LPA and biosecurity planning

What's new?

• Johnes Beef Assurance Score (JBAS) is a risk profiling tool developed to support producers manage the risk of Johnes disease in their herd.
• Additional to this, Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA)  announced that it would be introducing Biosecurity as one of its Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) standards effective from 1 October 2017.

What does it mean?

• Johnes Beef Assurance Score (JBAS)
  - Queensland herds without clinical cases of Johnes Disease are currently JBAS 7.
  -To remain JBAS 7, you must have a biosecurity plan endorsed by a vet by 1 July 2017 and have undertaken a 'check test' with clear results by 1 July 2018.
  - To maintain JBAS 6, you will require an on-property biosecurity plan in place. This falls in line with the introduction of the LPA Biosecurity module on 1 October 2017 that requires an on property biosecurity plan.
  - To travel to WA, you will need to be JBAS 7 or 8 (and meet other entry requirements). JBAS 7 or 8 requires a vet to approve the biosecurity planning and testing.
  - Cattle travelling to the NT from 1 July 2017 will need to be JBAS 6 and accompanied by a Cattle Health Declaration from the property of origin. There is no need for vet endorsement or testing.
• Livestock Production Assurance & Biosecurity
  a. In order to gain or renew LPA accreditation from 1 October you are required to have a biosecurity plan in place
  b. If you develop a plan for JBAS there is no need to have a separate plan for LPA.

Where do I go for more information?

• Details of Biosecurity & LPA can be found here or by referring to this checklist or by completing the eLearning modules.
• Details of JBAS can be found here and by referring to these FAQs
• Below is a biosecurity plan template that can be used to develop your on farm biosecurity plan and will meet the requirements of both JBAS and LPA.
  a. Animal Health Australia- Grazing Manual Biosecurity Form is a simple and quick to complete checklist of on farm biosecurity procedures. It contains a number of weblinks to other sources of information.
• National Cattle Health Declaration - we recommend the National Cattle Health Declaration is used when trading cattle.
• For all other biosecurity issues please contact Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.

Watch this video for a complete rundown on the changes.