THE new National Sheep Health Declaration has been released to replace the former sheep health statement, with an additional question on weeds.

Animal Health Australia’s Biosecurity Manager, Dr Rob Barwell said the new SHD was designed to replace the outgoing National Sheep Health Statement and is the result of consultation with the sheep industry and governments.

“The SHD now includes a question regarding sheep having access to declared noxious weeds, which are defined as declared weeds or plants, noxious weeds or Weeds of National Significance (depending on the state you are in).

This is important, as the weeds can have a serious health impact on sheep or be a biosecurity risk for the property,” he said.

Animal Health Australia said the SHD is the most important disease risk management tool livestock buyers have available to them. It enabled producers to assess the risk of diseases such as virulent footrot, lice, ovine brucellosis, Johne’s disease and other biosecurity risks such as noxious and declared weeds when buying, selling or agisting stock.

Dr Barwell said all sheep producers across the country can benefit from using the document.

“There are a range of health conditions that can affect your livestock that often don’t show up without testing and this is why you need that added confidence before you make any kind of investment in new stock,” he said.

“In a lot of ways, you can look at the new SHD as a mechanical check that you might get for a car before you purchase it.

“The document, which is filled out by the seller, tells the buyer about the disease status of the flock, the vaccinations and treatments they have received or if there are any other factors, such as biosecurity plans in place, that may have been actioned to further guarantee the health of the livestock.”

Producers who do sell their flocks with an accompanying SHD are advised to retain appropriate records to support this declaration, as making false statements may be liable under fair trading and other relevant state legislation.

The SHD is available here or on the Farm Biosecurity website and can be filled out electronically to save the time and hassle of filling them out by hand. For other tips and tricks for improving biosecurity for your sheep flock, go to the sheep industry page on the Farm Biosecurity website (www.farmbiosecurity.com.au).

Source: Animal Health Australia.