Fears tick fever could spread throughout New Caledonia
Updated
And officials in New Caledonia have indeed confirmed that domestic cattle herds have been infected with tick fever, brought into the country by infected animals from Australia. The disease, known as babesiosis, can devastate cattle herds. Earlier this week Australia's Agriculture Minister Tony Burke said the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service had allowed the cattle to be exported to New Caledonia after being vaccinated against tick fever. New Caledonian import laws require cattle to be drenched rather than vaccinated, as innoculated cattle can still pass the disease onto ticks, which then transmit it to uninfected animals. It's not yet clear whether the New Caledonian government will launch an action seeking compensation from Australia.
Presenter: Sandrine Ducrot
Speaker: Jean-Michel Favier, head of the live-farming department at New Caledonia's Agricultural Chamber
