New South Wales to Allocate AUD 21 Million to Fight Cattle Tick

According to the publication, infestations have been detected on 867 agricultural properties. The new program provides for surveillance of farms in high-risk areas, inspection of animals and treatment of cattle under the supervision of specialists. It is also intended to give farmers more information about prevention and what to do when ticks are found.

The tick poses a threat to beef and dairy farming: it weakens animals and can transmit the pathogen that causes babesiosis. The state government previously said that the aim of the revised program was to eradicate infestations and announced an additional AUD 7 million in funding.

Farmer representatives welcomed the increase in funding but expressed concern that inspecting and treating animals on individual properties could increase the burden on producers. They are calling on the authorities to involve farmers more closely in implementing the program and to draw on their experience in identifying infestations.