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| Trading Sheep in Tasmania Using the ABC Scheme
What is the ABC Scheme?
How will the ABC Scheme be used in Tasmania?
Keep these points in mind
For further information
PDF version of ABC in brochure form
Warning: On 1 January 2013, the ABC Scheme will change. This website will be updated at that time.
The Assurance Based Credit (ABC) Scheme is a way of assessing the risk that sheep have Ovine Johne’s Disease (OJD). It is intended to help sheep buyers to reduce the chance of their flocks becoming infected, as well as providing a way for owners of all types of flocks to improve their trading position.
Under the ABC Scheme, 'credits' can be claimed under four categories:
(1) regional level of OJD
(2) flock testing (includes SheepMAP status)
(3) OJD vaccination
(4) risk assessment of groups within infected or suspect flocks by approved veterinarians.
Mainland Tasmania flocks not suspected or known to be infected will start with 2 credits from the regional level category.
Mainland Tasmania flocks suspected or known to be infected and all Finders Island flocks will start with zero credits from the regional level category.
Additional credits may be claimed by all flocks from the other three categories.
The ABC score is calculated by the vendor using the Sheep Health Statement, a declaration for sheep intended for sale or agistment. A consignment of sheep can have an ABC score of up to 10 credits.
Copies of the Sheep Health Statement are also available from your stock agent, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) Animal Health staff or the Tasmanian Farmers & Graziers Association (TFGA).
For the majority of Tasmanian sheep producers, it is business as usual with respect to OJD, with the exception that most sheep producers will have to use a Sheep Health Statement when selling sheep because most flocks will not have any suspicion of OJD but will only be able to claim 2 points from category A.
The following conditions apply to the sale or agistment of sheep in mainland Tasmania:
Consignment ABC score | Restrictions for mainland Tasmania flocks | | Sold for slaughter only by 'over the hooks' or Auctions Plus. | | Can be sold on the open market with a mandatory Sheep Health Statement signed by the vendor. | | No restrictions. A signed Sheep Health Statement is strongly recommended but not mandatory. |
Movements between flocks on Flinders Island is permitted, irrespective of the ABC score of the flock or origin. Use of a Sheep Health Statement is recommended, but not mandatory.
There is no minimum ABC score for slaughter sheep being sold from Flinders Island to mainland Tasmania by 'over the hooks' or Auctions Plus. A minimum of 1 credit and a signed Sheep Health Statement is required for moving all other sheep to mainland Tasmania from Flinders Island.
For both mainland Tasmania and Flinders Island, there is no minimum ABC score for trading terminal crossbred lambs, identified with a sheep National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) 'T' ear tag, before cutting any adult teeth, irrespective of the status of the flock of origin.
- OJD costs money in deaths and lost production.
- Using the ABC Scheme can reduce the risk that your sheep become infected or infect other people's flocks.
- Increasing your ABC score (eg by OJD vaccination) can reduce the risk that your sheep become infected or infect other people’s flocks.
- Using the ABC Scheme can improve your trading position.
- You can check the ABC score of any sheep you’re interested in buying or agisting BEFORE they arrive on your property.
- To protect your flock, only introduce sheep with the same or, preferably, a higher ABC score than the highest score sheep in your flock.
Sheep buyers can determine the risk of OJD in sheep by requesting a completed Sheep Health Statement from the vendor.
Sheep sellers can declare the consignment ABC score in writing on the Sheep Health Statement. Sheep with higher ABC scores may attract increased competition from local and mainland buyers.
The higher the ABC score, the lower the risk of OJD
Contact:
PDF version of ABC Scheme brochure
This is a Portable Document Format (PDF) file and requires the use of Adobe Acrobat Reader. The Reader is easy to download and is free of charge.
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