The operational requirements of Phase 2 are that members of the National Johne’s Management Plan (NJMP) require their associated farmers to obtain a signed declaration by a BCVA Accredited Johne’s Veterinary Adviser that they will be implementing one of the six control strategies specified by the NJMP.
Year 1
For the first year of a farm completing the National Johne’s Management Plan requirements the declaration confirms that the farmer has:
i. undertaken to assess their risks and herd status within the last 12 months and,
ii. adopted the written Johne’s management plan put in place in agreement with their BCVA Accredited Johne’s Advisor.
The plan should be reviewed annually.
Year 2 onwards
For farms who have completed the initial requirement of the National Johne’s Management Plan, the declaration confirms that the farmer:
i. has reassessed their risk and status within the last 12 months and reviewed their Johne’s management plan with their BCVA Accredited Johne’s Advisor; and
ii. that the necessary management protocols, equipment, husbandry and resources are being implemented to adhere to this plan
The objective of this declaration is to confirm that the plan has been reviewed and that the farmer is implementing the correct protocols to adhere to the plan.
Only vets that have undergone the BCVA training programme are permitted to sign declarations, find your nearest BCVA accredited Johne’s advisor here.
To satisfy the requirements of the NJMP, there are three steps that should be completed on-farm with a BCVA Accredited Johne’s Veterinary Advisory. These are:
1. Know your Johne’s disease risks
While it is calculated that a third of dairy herds do not have Johne’s disease present on farm, a robust plan to keep the disease out – or manage the infection if present needs to be worked up with a BAJVA.
If your risks of Johne’s disease are high, it is important that you reduce them by adopting an effective control programme and monitor carefully for infection within your herd.
2. Know your Johne’s disease status
Testing will help determine your herd’s Johne’s disease status’ as part of your control programme.
3. Create a written Johne’s disease management plan
Full details of the NJMP scheme can be found here: National Johne’s Management Plan 2020
