The Australian Bovine Tuberculosis Surveillance Project 2007-2010 (ABTBSP) provides continuing surveillance activities following from completion of the Tuberculosis Freedom Assurance Program Part Two 2003-2006 (TFAP2). No cases of bovine TB were detected during TFAP2 and Australia continues a surveillance program to maintain international recognition as a bovine TB-free country. Australia was declared free by the OIE on 31 December 1997.

How does the project work?

The purpose of the ABTBSP is to collate, analyse and report TB surveillance activities undertaken in Australia by federal, state and territory animal health agencies.

The central activity of this surveillance is meat inspection at export abattoirs by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service. Aiming for target rates of submission, and following the principle of inspector discretion, granulomatous lesions of uncertain aetiology are submitted to veterinary laboratories accredited for tuberculosis testing.

Other TB surveillance activities include investigation of granulomatous lesions detected during the slaughter of cattle, deer, buffalo and camels for the domestic market and TB testing of live animals for export. Australia's favourable TB-free status is consistently communicated through quarterly reporting of laboratory submissions in the NAHIS.

Contingency planning

In the unlikely event of a TB case detection, eradication activities will be guided by the Bovine Tuberculosis Case Response Manual (684 KB) which includes provision for an approved property or herd eradication program agreed by the owner and relevant jurisdiction, and endorsed by cattle industry representatives. Animal Health Committee is managing the future technical and policy aspects of TB eradication. Reimbursement for livestock destroyed for disease control will be provided by the cattle industry, through the Cattle Disease Contingency Fund. AHA is managing the call on funds as the need arises.

A reference laboratory is retained for future quality assurance and epidemiological investigations. Future reference laboratory arrangements will be provided for under the National Animal Health Laboratory Strategy.

Bovine Tuberculosis Case Response Manual

• Bovine Tuberculosis Case Response Manual (684 KB)

Further Information

Please see the NAHIS for further details on bovine tuberculosis and Australia's status.

Page Updated: 4 December 2007