Cattle producers wanted to help support Australia’s market access

Animal Health Australia is calling on cattle producers to support the National Arbovirus Monitoring Program (NAMP) — a program that helps protect Australia’s livestock export markets.

What is NAMP?

NAMP monitors the distribution of insect-borne viruses (arboviruses) of ruminant livestock (cattle, sheep, goats and camelids) and their associated insect vectors within Australia. These viruses include bluetongue, Akabane, and bovine ephemeral fever (also known as three-day sickness).

Why it matters

Many countries that import Australian livestock or breeding material, such as semen and embryos, require proof that our animals are free from specific diseases. NAMP provides credible information on the distribution of these important arboviruses, enabling our trading partners to have confidence in our animal health status.

The program helps to detect any new strains of bluetongue virus and insect vectors early. It also supports the detection of changes in the distribution of the viruses it

monitors, allowing farmers and exporters to make informed decisions and manage risks of disease.

How it works

NAMP collects data at monitoring sites across Australia by testing blood samples from cattle herds and undertaking insect trapping for biting midges.

Here’s how cattle producers can help:

• Blood samples: you provide 10–30 young, home-bred cattle for blood testing. Government officers collect the samples on agreed-upon dates, which can be timed to coincide with your usual cattle handling.
• Insect traps: some producers also set up automatic insect traps for a few nights during the year. You just send the collected insects to your local government contact.

This information helps determine where the bluetongue virus is found and supports decisions about livestock movement and exports.

Why your help matters

By being a NAMP collaborator, you’re helping to provide important disease risk management data that informs Australia’s understanding of the distribution of these viruses and insect vectors. This helps keep export markets open by maintaining and strengthening mutual confidence between Australia and its trading partners.

Get involved

NAMP relies on the support of cattle producers. It only takes a small amount of time each year, and there are incentives to help cover the cost of mustering and setting traps.

To participate or learn more, contact your state or territory coordinator or email aha@animalhealthaustralia.com.au. For more details about NAMP, see the National Arbovirus Monitoring Program (NAMP).