OJD transaction scheme starts October 1

The NSW Ovine Johne’s Disease Transaction Scheme will begin October 1, 2005.

Under the scheme, abattoirs and the State’s stock and station agents will collect a fee of $0.20 per sheep and $0.10 per lamb for all transactions.

The new system will be a lifeline to those producers still owed $2.4 million for undertaking work to control the spread of OJD under the old national scheme.

The transaction-based scheme was recommended to the State Government in March by the OJD Industry Advisory Committee which saw it as the fairest, most workable way to see producers re-paid for work under the old industry program.

Fees will be placed into a special fund, with monies distributed by the Rural Assistance Authority. Sheep producers owed money for past mitigation works will receive repayments once the transaction fund builds up.

The State Government has announced it will provide a $725,000 advance to assist nearly 450 sheep producers still owed monies under the industry’s old Ovine Johne’s Disease (OJD) management program.

Further information can be found at www.raa.nsw.gov.au.