Northern Australian Biosecurity Surveillance project

The Northern Australia Biosecurity Surveillance project is funded by the Commonwealth Government under the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper, and is focused on improving disease surveillance in northern Australian. A number of key activities have been identified to achieve this in our extensive conditions in 2017 ‑ resources such as tools, technology and training for cattle producers and vets, and subsidies for livestock disease investigation.

Post-mortem sampling kits

All pastoral properties in the NT will be provided with a post-mortem (PM) sampling kit during the annual property visits undertaken by the Livestock Biosecurity team. This kit can be used to collect samples for laboratory diagnosis in the event that livestock get sick or die.

  • Private cattle vets are encouraged to use the property PM sampling kit to assist them in disease investigations. There is also funding available to subsidise the cost of disease investigation in livestock across northern Australia from 2017-2019.
  • Early-case blood samples and nasal swabs (prior to death preferred) are sought from any horse that may have unexplained and progressive illness.
  • The PM sampling kit includes a maggot collection kit which staff can used to collect maggots from fly-blown wounds.

We suggest keeping the PM sampling kit on the property in a location known to staff. The Regional Veterinary officer will provide guidance and instruction on using and returning the sampling kit. DPIR offices in Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs will return replenished sampling kits to the property when submitted as part of a disease investigation.

To get aPM sampling kit for your property, please contact your local Regional Veterinary or Livestock Biosecurity Officer.

PM sampling kit available for all pastoral properties

Figure 4: PM sampling kit available for all pastoral properties


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