Conflict stalls lice war

WAFarmers is calling for a State-co-ordinated program for an in-shed sheep lice test.

While farmers are counting the cost of the pest, the Department of Agriculture and Food WA (DAFWA) made it clear it was not interested in waging all-out war on the louse.

WAFarmers wool section president Ed Rogister said the Government did not support sheep lice being made a notifiable condition.

“They do not wish to work within a regulatory framework, ” Mr Rogister said.

“Under current testing procedures, waiting for results is too time consuming and it is the lice that are winning the war. This delay is a waste of farmers’ time and money.”

Seeking an immediate solution to the problem, WAFarmers has requested Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) to invest in an instant in-shed test.

“We will ask AWI to place more resources into research into this area, ” Mr Rogister said.