Draft AWI animal health plan released for industry comment
Animal health, exotic disease and the welfare of sheep flocks are the central elements of a draft ten year Strategic Plan for the Australian Wool Innovation Animal Health Program that was released for public comment earlier this week.
The draft strategic plan, which includes an initial four-year budget of up to A$12 million aims to address a range of animal health and disease problems and deliver benefits by reducing the cost of production, improving wool quality and reducing threats and increasing market access.
The overall proposal is divided into four sub programs covering internal parasites and scouring, external parasites and residues, other sheep diseases and exotic diseases.
AWI Managing Director, Col Dorber said animal health problems such as internal parasites, lice and flies were estimated to cost producers some A$550 million per year in lost production. "Add to this the cost of footrot and Ovine Johnes disease and the potential damage from a range of exotic disease and we believe that well directed research, development and innovation activities have the potential to make a real difference for Australian wool producers." Dorber said.
