A pilot project aimed at reducing the financial impacts of endemic diseases and other production conditions on farm and supply chain productivity in Australia has begun.

The Sheep Pilot Livestock Production Conditions Project (LPCP) has been developed by Animal Health Australia (AHA) together with sheep industry peak bodies in order to streamline governance costs, enhance collaboration and take a more holistic approach to addressing endemic conditions.

“The AHA-managed project will take a proactive approach to tackling sheep production issues, with greater emphasis on biosecurity and associated communication and extension activities,” AHA’s Executive Manager Biosecurity, Duncan Rowland explained.

“It also aims to address the issues of lost production across the entire sheep value (supply) chain in order to mitigate animal welfare and market access risks. The project should ensure the value-add from animal health improvements is maximised at all stages of the sheep supply chain, from on-property to beyond the farm gate at the processor level.”

The pilot project will run from July 2014 – June 2015 and provides the framework for a nationally integrated approach to sheep production conditions. A draft LPCP business plan for the pilot project is currently with members awaiting endorsement.

The draft plan contains the proposed objectives of the LPCP which are:

• To identify and fill gaps in work undertaken with, and by, research and development corporations across all sheep production conditions.
• To increase the efficiency and consistency of management (i.e. biosecurity practices, research and development, communications) of national sheep production condition projects.
• To provide a forum to involve all stakeholders in addressing sheep production condition issues.

LPCP is coordinated by AHA through the recently established sheep industries LPC Project Steering Committee comprising representatives from the Sheepmeat Council of Australia  and WoolProducers Australia, Meat & Livestock Australia, Australian Wool Innovation, state governments, Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association, Australian Meat Industry Council and the Australian Veterinary Association.

For more information contact: AHA Biosecurity Officer Rob Barwell,[email protected]