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Ordered to be printed
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by Authority
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT
PRINTER
No. 46 Session 1999/2000
The Committee records its appreciation to all those who have contributed to the Inquiry and the preparation of this report. A large number of individuals and organisations made their expertise and experience available through the submission process, the Committee's inspection program and the public hearing process; they are listed in the Appendices. In particular, the Committee is very grateful to the many farmers who were willing to tell their stories with such frankness and courtesy. The Committee also had the benefit of the expertise of a number of specialist consultants - Professor Adrian Egan and Associate Professor Bill Malcolm of the Institute of Land and Food Resources, The University of Melbourne, Dr Ian Sargeant, Honorary Research Associate, Department of Geography and Environmental Science, Monash University and Dr Bernadette Hood and Professor Terence Seedsman of, respectively, the Department of Psychology and the Faculty of Human Development, Victoria University. The cover photograph was provided by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment. The cover was designed by Luke Flood of ActualSize, with printing by Acuprint. Editing services were provided by Ms Heather Kelly. The report was drafted by the staff of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee: Dr Andrea Lindsay assisted by Mr Brad Miles. Administrative support was provided by Ms Kathy Karlevski and Ms Gina Arpea. The work of the Hansard reporters who accompanied the Committee into country Victoria - Bev Walshe, Trish Greig, Andrea Kenny, Linden Taylor and Sue Kebbe - is also gratefully acknowledged. The research program was under the direction of Mr Brad Miles, Executive Officer of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
Environment and Natural Resources Committee (2000)
Inquiry into the Control of Ovine Johne's Disease in Victoria - Report
ENRC, Parliament of Victoria.
ISBN: 0 7311 5514 9
Level 8, 35 Spring Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000
Phone: (03) 9651 3533
Fax: (03) 9651 3575
Email: enrc@parliament.vic.gov.au
Website: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/enrc
© State of Victoria
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE - 54TH PARLIAMENT
Mr George Seitz, MP Chairman
Hon. Graeme Stoney, MLC Deputy Chair
Mr Hugh Delahunty, MP
Ms Joanne Duncan, MP
Mr Craig Ingram, MP
Ms Jenny Lindell, MP
Mr Terry Mulder, MP
Hon. Bob Smith, MLC
Extract of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1968:
Section 4EA: The functions of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee are to inquire into, consider and report to the Parliament on -
(a) any proposal matter or thing concerned with the environment;
(b) any proposal matter or thing concerned with natural resources;
(c) any proposal matter or thing concerned with planning the use, development or protection of land-
if the Committee is required or permitted so to do by or under this Act.
INQUIRY TERMS OF REFERENCE
Parliamentary Committees Act 1968
REFERRAL OF MATTER TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
"The Governor in Council under Section 4F of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1968 issues the following terms of reference to the Environment and Natural Resources Committee for inquiry into ovine Johne's disease control in Victoria:
a) Assess the economic and social impacts of strategies implemented from December 1996 for the management and control of ovine Johne's disease on individual producers, the sheep industry in Victoria and Victorian regional communities.
b) In the light of scientific knowledge of ovine Johne's disease and the national control and evaluation program, consider and assess the costs and the economic and social impact of any alternative strategies for management in Victoria.
c) After consideration of the outcomes from the CSIRO review, recommend future management strategies for OJD in Victoria.
d) Report by 30 September 2000.
Responsible Minister: Keith Hamilton, MP, Minister for Agriculture".
Referred to the Environment and Natural Resources Committee by Order in Council of Tuesday, 22 February 2000, as gazetted on Friday, 25 February 2000.
Also referred to the Committee by resolution of the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, 14 March 2000.
The Committee resolved to commence the inquiry on 20 March 2000.
PREFACE
This has been a difficult and, indeed, harrowing inquiry for the Committee. I would be the first to admit that when we commenced this inquiry, few of us on the Committee had a real understanding of the impact that ovine Johne's disease (OJD) was having on sheep producers. The Committee has, however, gone to considerable lengths to talk to those directly involved - the affected sheep farmers, farm workers, the scientists, the veterinarians, the counsellors, the government employees and the sheep industry leadership. It has actively sought out innovative ideas as well as a cross-section of views. All of those with whom the Committee made contact were willing to assist and be helpful.
The Committee very soon discovered that OJD and its control are very complex and difficult issues. While acknowledging that its recommendations will not solve all the problems associated with OJD, it hopes that they will provide a way forward so that individual farmers, the sheep industry and the public servants can again work together for the mutual benefit of all of the communities that they serve. The Committee also trusts that lessons will be learnt from the manner in which this disease has been managed, to ensure that if, God forbid, a similar disease should strike Victoria, all are ready to respond together.
On behalf of all members of the Committee, I would like to especially acknowledge the gratitude of the Committee to all of the many people who were willing to tell their stories with such frankness and courtesy.
George Seitz, MP
Chairman
