Latest news with #CattleAustralia
West Australian
14-05-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Australia's sole Q Fever vaccine provider confirms it is prepared to combat the country's rising case numbers
Australia's sole Q Fever vaccine provider says the serious bacterial infection vaccine is no longer in short supply, quelling fears the farming industry would not be able to combat rising case numbers across the country. Concerns arose after Cattle Australia called for an urgent $3 million cash injection to bring a new Q Fever vaccine to market on April 29. CSL Seqirus — manufacturer of the Q-VAX vaccine in Melbourne — confirmed with the Countryman current supply levels would meet current demand. The zoonotic disease is transmitted predominantly from goats, sheep and cattle and is caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. It is released through faeces, urine, milk and birth products from infected animals but can spread through the air and dust. Most people in Australia are unaware of the disease and its potential consequences, including flu-like symptoms, pneumonia and hepatitis. Victoria experienced five notified outbreaks between August and December last year, with a total of 77 notified cases — more than double the State's average annual incident of the past five years. This year alone, six cases have been reported to WA Health, while 16 cases were reported in 2024 — spiking in the back end of the year. The yearly average is eight in Western Australia. A CSL Seqirus spokesperson said 'normal supply' for the Q-VAX vaccine resumed in February, following a period of limited supply where stock was managed centrally to ensure access for people at the highest risk of infection. 'Approximately 30 to 40,000 Australians are vaccinated against Q fever annually and this is typically driven by workplace vaccinations, public health campaigns and outbreaks of disease,' they said. 'We have been working closely with local Public Health Units in regions with outbreaks to ensure access to vaccination. 'There is always the potential for small increases in demand due to outbreaks and our annual supply planning takes this into account.' They said a new 'world-class' manufacturing facility near Melbourne Airport is due for completion in 2026 which will manufacture vaccines and antivenoms for Australia and the world. There are more than 80 clinics offering Q fever vaccinations across the State.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Will Trump's tariffs make US hamburgers more expensive?
STORY: They are a key ingredient in a beloved U.S. cuisine but are about to become more expensive. Australian beef farmers, traders and industry groups said on Thursday they would pass on the extra costs of 10% U.S. tariffs to the American consumer. "They are completely reliant on our grassfed beef.'' With their product prized by U.S. fast food chains, Cattle Australia chair Garry Edwards says hungry customers will feel the impact. ''It's simply going to push up the price of food and that's really not a win for anyone, it's an inflationary impact and I can't imagine that the American consumer is going to like paying more for their burgers or their steaks for the foreseeable future." With an identical tariff applied to fellow market competitors, live stock agent Dhugald McDowell doesn't see the logic. ''Okay, so we're all at 10% it really doesn't change anything. What it does make, however, the commodity that's going into America a lot dearer for their own consumers. So I think in the short term, it could be quite an detrimental to the U.S. economy.' U.S. fast food chains uses Australian beef for its lower fat content. It is then combined with fattier U.S. beef to produce hamburgers with the ideal fat content. Australia exports $2.52 billion of beef annually to the United States - its largest market. But has banned fresh U.S. beef since 2003 due to the detection of mad cow disease in U.S. cattle. That drew the ire of Trump, who said Australia "won't take any of our beef" as he announced tariffs on the country. Edwards says there would be no compromise on Australia's biosecurity laws. "They have market access already to Australia, they have simply chosen not to meet the compliance requirements." Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday the government would provide support to industries impacted by the U.S. tariffs to sell into alternative markets. Something graziers like James Fitzpatrick in the cattle yard want to see. 'There's a worldwide market out there. Why are we focusing just on the one market?'
