Assistance scheme information: for
producers affected by BJD
Queensland Cattle Industry Biosecurity Fund
The Queensland Cattle Industry Biosecurity Fund was announced in January 2013 to provide
financial assistance to producers in order to get them back on track.
The Fund incorporates $2 million in seed funding which was to be immediately available to
producers directly affected by the recent bovine Johne’s disease (BJD) cases in Queensland.
The Queensland Government, with advice from industry, has been working to finalise the
components of the scheme, including the types of programs available, eligibility criteria and level of
assistance available to eligible producers.
Affected producers can apply for financial assistance from 31 May 2013.
Types of assistance
The assistance scheme consists of two components under which producers may be able to apply
for funding - a Direct Market Assistance Program and a Supply Chain Pathway Assistance
Program.
Payments will be capped at $50,000 in the first year. Further assistance up to $200,000 is
proposed to be funded by the industry levy.
Direct Market Assistance Program
Producers may be able to claim up to 50 per cent of the value of cattle that have been slaughtered
for testing as part of their property disease investigation plan. The program will apply to trace
forward cattle that have been slaughtered for testing and cattle required to be slaughtered under
herd testing protocols. This includes properties that have already acted to slaughter cattle and
have already had their movement restrictions lifted.
Properties that are confirmed as infected will be able to claim up to 50 per cent of the value of
cattle that they slaughter when destocking under a property disease eradication plan.
Financial assistance
The amount of assistance available to an eligible applicant under the Direct Market Assistance
Program is:
a) 25 per cent of an animal’s value if the accepted value is up to $2,500
b) 35 per cent of an animal’s value if the accepted value is over $2,500 and up to $3,000
c) 50 per cent of an animal’s value if the accepted value is more than $3,000.
If an animal was more than seven years of age when slaughtered, the amount of assistance will be
reduced by 25 per cent for each year the animal was over that age.
Supply Chain Pathway Assistance Program
This program provides ongoing assistance for those producers who are undertaking herd testing
options under a property disease eradication plan and are likely to be under long-term movement
restrictions.
Under the conditions of the program, producers may be eligible to claim 50 per cent of the
additional costs of finding markets for their cattle while they are under movement restrictions.
Further application details
Further information for affected producers to consider when applying for assistance:

Applications for assistance under the program must be made on QRAA’s application form
and be accompanied by the documentation stated in the application form.

Affected producers can claim for assistance from 31 May 2013.

Applicants should seek advice from their legal, business and financial advisors to
determine their eligibility for and the terms of the financial assistance.

Ensure you read the guidelines for each package to ensure you are eligible to receive
assistance.

The payments will be capped and the amount that producers are eligible for will depend on
individual circumstances.

The package is not meant to provide full compensation for losses, but to provide as much
financial assistance as possible within the immediately available funding, and at a level that
can be sustained by voluntary industry levies in the future.

Applications must be received by QRAA no later than 30 June 2014.
How to apply for assistance
A full range of details including application forms and eligibility criteria are available on the QRAA
website, www.qraa.qld.gov.au or Freecall 1800 623 946.
Assistance package information: for producers affected by BJD
© State of Queensland, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, 2013.
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Further information and support tools
Supply chain database
Current conditions in the cattle market are making it hard for properties under movement
restrictions to move cattle. To help match producers with properties willing to take cattle, the
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has called on industry to assist
properties affected by BJD.
A database has been established for feedlotters, backgrounders and grass fatteners to register
their details to receive cattle from BJD properties.
This database will be used to match feed availability with your need to move cattle. The database
will be used by your case manager and the livestock consultant to enable cattle movements from
properties under movement restrictions.
BJD has the potential to affect the entire cattle supply chain and everyone has a role to play in
ensuring affected producers are provided the support they need.
For more information, call 13 25 23.
Free livestock consultant
Chris Todd has been appointed as an independent livestock consultant to help facilitate cattle
movements along the supply chain. The consultant will work with you and your case manager free
of charge, to help find supply chain opportunities for your cattle.
DAFF currently has a small number of both agistment and feedlot opportunities registered and
willing to receive cattle from BJD properties.
If you need to move your livestock, contact your Biosecurity Queensland case manager or call
13 25 23. Alternatively, call Chris Todd on 0407 405 813.
DAFF support
Experienced staff from DAFF and Animal Health Australia can provide advice to affected
producers in making decisions about short-term herd management options and long-term
strategies to recover from the financial impacts of the disease.
These officers use a range of decision-making support tools such as Breedcow/ Dynama and
Testing Management Options to help affected producers make informed decisions.
Affected producers should make sure they have all the information available to them and consider
all options before making decisions about their property management.
For information on decision-making support tools, visit www.daff.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.
Assistance package information: for producers affected by BJD
© State of Queensland, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, 2013.
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Movement permits
Movement permits are required for any animal movement from quarantined premises.
Producers who have been issued a quarantine notice are reminded that no movement of cattle
onto or out of the quarantined area shall occur without the approval of a Biosecurity Officer.
For movement permits to be granted, cattle would need to be fully assessed to determine the level
of risk.
If you would like to move animals, contact your local Biosecurity Queensland case manager or call
13 25 23.
National assistance program
The National BJD Financial and Non-financial Assistance Package provides financial and nonfinancial assistance to beef cattle producers whose herds are already known or found to be
infected with BJD.
One of its goals is to minimise the social, economic and trade impact of BJD at herd, regional and
national levels. This goal is to be addressed through a series of measures that will:
1. provide financial assistance to affected producers
2. reduce BJD prevalence, and
3. remove the stigma associated with BJD infection and reduce emotional stress.
Information is readily available to help you make decisions about livestock management and
movement options. For more information, contact your local BJD Counsellor, Campbell Trotter
on 0411 249 125.
Assistance package information: for producers affected by BJD
© State of Queensland, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, 2013.
31 May 2013, Page 4