Sheep producer pleads guilty to flock footrot

A sheep producer in the Shire of Denmark has been fined for failing to take precautions to quarantine sheep after virulent footrot was detected in his flock.

The producer pleaded guilty to failing to take precautions to stop his sheep leaving the quarantined property and was fined $900.

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development veterinarian Jenny Cotter manages the implementation of the Footrot Control Program on behalf of the Sheep and Goats Industry Funding Scheme.

She said the prosecution demonstrated the importance of adhering to quarantine notice instructions, which were in place to prevent the further spread of the disease.

“Virulent footrot is a bacterial infection of the skin on sheep’s feet that causes lameness and productivity losses,” she said. “Movements of infected sheep can spread the disease.

“On behalf of sheep producers in WA, the Sheep and Goats IFS invests significant funding to control the spread of virulent footrot within WA and to limit the financial and welfare impacts of the disease.

“If your property is quarantined for footrot, you are responsible for ensuring that the disease does not spread to your neighbours by preventing your sheep from straying off your property.”

A contribution of 15¢ for every sheep or goat sold in WA is collected by the IFS.

This is then used to fund priority industry programs to monitor and control declared pests and diseases similar to footrot.