F E AT U R E
recently released information detailing resistance to Bayticol, asserting that, ‘the more often ticks are exposed to the chemical, the more likely they will develop resistance to it ... the treatment of European cattle in eastern Australia every three weeks has resulted in rapid development of acaricide resistance … under-dosing risks survival, enhancing tolerance/resistance to the chemical, as does the persistent use of one chemical group for tick control.’ A senior vet* with decades of equine experience and working knowledge of the biosecurity policies in several states agrees, saying that there are better ways to deal with cattle tick control. “There is clear, available evidence that NSW DPI operates against all recommendations from NT DPI on reducing chemical resistance for cattle tick,” she says. “It also disregards the independent CSIRO assessment for the QLD Government’s introduction of the 2016 biosecurity bill. This legislation supersedes the 1915 Stock Act that required ‘inspect and spray’ which is the antiquated policy NSW still use.” She adds that it must be proved that groomed show horses can sustain or instigate an infestation and thus justify the spraying program. “NSW needs to explain why they spray horses despite the NT and QLD’s better practice. There are long lasting cattle vaccines. Implications of resistance are serious. Certain strains of ticks in QLD are already totally resistant to Bayticol. NSW persists with out-dated and possibly harmful practices of continuing to spray ‘low risk secondary
Melinda Rechichi and Kenlock Sylvestro (Image courtesy Mahalia Ashforth) identical issues. Why has NSW chosen
A comprehensive review of the facility
the more arduous, costly and risky
is vital, especially in the space that
impact? All horse owners should be
has emerged with the COVID-19
given a MDSA safety data sheet on
border closure. It would give the
the chemical used and give consent
equestrian community and the various
based on that data … nothing about
species’ despite warnings from other
this is open or transparent,” she says.
agencies that it could be disastrous
But there are possible solutions. The
and costly for the cattle industry. “It’s odd that two states can have
DPI could restructure the facility to allow larger vehicles to move through safely,
government departments a chance to resolve a polarising situation that appears to serve no one. As Melinda says, “If they can’t move it, all we want is for it to be at the very least accessible for all vehicles, based on best
different requirements for the same
or relocate it to a safer area. The spray
issue - but one has a huge impact on
regulations could be reviewed in line
safety, chemical complications, cost,
with the latest evidence. The onus for
inconvenience, animal welfare, road
cattle tick control could be on the cattle
*A number of interviewee names were
safety, and WHS, while assessing the
industry instead of the equine sector.
changed or omitted for this story.
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practice and science, and safe - for us and our horses. Why is that so hard?”
