The Footrot Vendor Declaration is a form endorsed by the NSW Footrot Steering Committee to provide assurance that sheep offered for sale are free of footrot.

As an important safeguard buyers should insist on a signed vendor declaration when introducing sheep to their property. The form provides vendors with the opportunity to reassure clients that the sheep being sold are free of footrot.

Sheep must be accompanied by a valid Footrot Vendor Declaration if they are introduced from areas within Victoria and Tasmania which are classified as "Residual Zones" for footrot.

The vendor declaration form encompasses:

• a declaration that the sheep have been inspected within the previous 7 days and are considered free of footrot
• a declaration that there is no history of footrot on the property over the last 12 months
• details of any treatments for foot conditions as well as any relevant laboratory testing during the previous 12 months
• actions that the vendor must take if footrot is found within 14 days of sheep being introduced onto a new property.

Although voluntary the Footrot Vendor Declaration is an important tool which enables sheep producers to be vigilant in preventing the spread of footrot.