Welfare

Animal health and disease management

Play it safe and don’t wait! Any unusual symptoms in any animals should be reported immediately. The earlier a disease is detected the sooner any outbreak can be contained or controlled, and our livestock industries protected.

Livestock SA's Statement of Ethics in Animal Welfare

 

Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline - 1800 675 888

 

Reporting notifiable, serious or unusual animal diseases

Any serious or unusual symptoms, or behavior, seen in your livestock or birds should be reported to one of the following:

• the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888
• your private veterinarian
• the nearest animal health adviser or government veterinarian officer.

Even if unsure, please report any suspicion of disease immediately.

Symptoms suggestive of a notifiable, serious or unusual disease

In general terms, the following signs in livestock or birds are indicative of a notifiable, serious or unusual disease and must be reported:

• a large number of ill or dead animals
• rapid spread of disease through a herd or flock
• animals that are lame, drooling or salivating excessively
• animals that have ulcers, erosions or blisters around the feet, muzzle, udder or teats and/or in the mouth
• unusual nervous signs
• any kind of discharge e.g. diarrhoea especially if it has blood in it or excessive nasal discharge
• birds with dullness, swollen heads or respiratory distress
• production drop – milk yield in livestock or egg production in birds (or an increase in percentage of thin-shelled eggs)
• the sudden onset and rapid deterioration of illness or death in horses
• any associated interstate or overseas human/animal movement
• any unusual or unfamiliar disease symptoms in animals or birds

Less dramatic signs should also be watched for, such as animals not eating properly and animals that are depressed and not responding the way they should.

Information to provide when reporting a suspected notifiable, serious or unusual animal disease

Upon contacting the vet or Animal Health Adviser, it is necessary to provide some basic information that will assist in determining the most appropriate course of action - this should include:

• what pest or disease is suspected (if known)
• (if not you) the name of the owner and/or farm manager
• full property details including street address, telephone number, and Property Identification Code (PIC)
• the livestock species (e.g. sheep, cattle etc) and the approximate numbers of animals on the property (including wild animals)
• the type of animals that are affected (e.g. cattle only or a specific age group)
• a brief description of clinical signs and any lesions observed
• the date when you first noticed the signs
• an approximate number of sick or dead animals
• whether any susceptible animals have recently left or been brought onto the property
• any recent history of overseas human movement.

For more details, go to the Biosecurity SA website http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecuritysa

 

Livestock Export Facts

The people and the facts behind the industry

Australia’s sheep export industry contributes more than $250 million to our nation every year. Revenue that is critical to farmers; businesses and workers across the supply chain; and regional communities – many who are already doing it tough.

The National Farmers’ Federation, Sheep Producers Australia and WAFarmers are pleased to provide the stories of the people behind the industry at Livestock Export Facts.

Stories like that of Bindi Murray, a third generation sheep farmer from Woodanilling in Western Australia. Bindi’s business is built on breeding healthy, content livestock. Bindi is committed to working with Government and industry to ensure the animal welfare standards she deploys on-farm are guaranteed across the supply chain.

And the story of Andy Jacob, a Western Australian livestock carrier. Eight five per cent of Andy's business is generated through servicing the livestock export market. He recently invested $400,000 in upgrading his fleet. A ban on the industry would see his business model collapse and he believes, that of many other WA’s carriers.

Live Export Facts also explains the many important reasons why we export sheep, including for religious and cultural reasons but also to encourage the self-sustainability of our trading nations.

The new resources provide objective information about what Australia is doing to ensure animal welfare across the value chain including through the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL). Australia is the only exporting nation whereby the entire export process from paddock to slaughter, is regulated.

It is our hope that the facts and information provided, will provide Australians with a more informed understanding of livestock exports; why the industry exists; its value to farmers and regional communities and the farm sector’s commitment to improving its operation into the future.

We remain committed to ensuring a future for sheep exports. A future, that puts the welfare of animals first and that continues to contribute to the sustainability and prosperity of our farmers and regional communities.