The Minns Labor Government is strengthening protections for NSW beef and dairy industries, today releasing the state's Cattle Tick Strategy as part of the government's efforts to reinvigorate the NSW Cattle Tick Program.
Earlier this year the Minns Government announced a significant investment of $7 million to rebuild the program to better meet the needs of farmers in northern NSW, after years of inaction under the former National-Liberal Government allowed the problem to grow.
In the three financial years from 2026/27 the Minns Government will invest $21 million on cattle tick management including the $7 million announced earlier this year.
The strategy released today builds on that funding and the recommendations put forward by the Independent Biosecurity Commissioner following a review of the Cattle Tick Program requested by the NSW Government.
In the past the Cattle Tick Program only focused on properties that self-reported cattle tick. The Independent Biosecurity Commissioner has found this is not an effective approach to eradicate cattle tick from NSW.
Designed to meet the stated needs of producers, the strategy sets out clearer program priorities, stronger surveillance, consistent communication and engagement, and practical operational and treatment plans to support cattle tick management on affected and at-risk properties.
The strategy's goals will be achieved by undertaking a new best practice approach of dealing with this biosecurity problem with a landscape wide approach rather than by individual farms, recognising that cattle ticks infest a region and don't stop at the fenceline.
This risk-based geographic approach will section NSW into high; medium and low-risk areas, with resources directed to focus on the high and medium risk areas. The strategy will drive operations forward over the next six years to:
- Reduce the number of cattle tick-infested properties in the Northern Rivers region and decrease the size of the area containing cattle tick-infested properties.
- Support producers with a targeted and transparent approach to surveillance, treatment and on-ground response.
- Survey a region and determine independently if cattle tick is found across an area.
- Implement area wide movement controls where required to prevent the spread of cattle tick from infested properties within and outside an area.
- Upgraded treatment schemes will then be implemented to remove cattle tick from the infested properties and area.
Biosecurity risks require coordinated management between government, industry and the community. The strategy was developed with feedback from beef and dairy industry stakeholders, technical experts and far north coast communities.
Working with stakeholder groups, the Cattle Tick Consultative Committee and the Technical Advisory Group, the cattle tick team will review treatment arrangements and prepare regulatory and operational frameworks for the Cattle Tick Program.
The delivery of the Cattle Tick Strategy forms part of the Minns Labor Government's work to protect the State's agricultural industries, including investing more than $1 billion in biosecurity measures.
Minister for Agriculture, Regional and Western NSW, Tara Moriarty said:
"The coming year has a strong focus on improving our understanding of cattle tick distribution, strengthening awareness and education, plus boost tracing and stakeholder engagement.
"The Cattle Tick Strategy is built upon the important review and recommendations from the Independent Biosecurity Commissioner, and the Technical Advisory Group, which includes epidemiologists, veterinarians and other specialists, and Cattle Tick Consultative Committee, which offers practical insights from farmers and the community.
"This work to boost the cattle tick program underpins our Government's commitment to eradication, a goal the former National Liberal Government let drop due to mismanagement and poor funding.
"This important work is firmly focused on making sure the program is working to protect the beef and dairy farmers in NSW with the latest biosecurity management practices and the required resources."
