Tuberculosis Freedom Assurance Program (TFAP)
The Tuberculosis Freedom Assurance Program (TFAP) was a five-year surveillance program to ensure that any resurgence of tuberculosis in Australian cattle was promptly and effectively eliminated. The program commenced in 1998 following the declaration of Australia as a Free Area for bovine tuberculosis and ended in December 2002.
The program objectives included:
- Maintaining Australia’s Free Area status for bovine tuberculosis
- Maintaining sufficient surveillance to detect any residual TB
- Maintaining the skills and resources necessary to address any cases of TB
- Lessening the impact of TB on any owners of infected cattle and the larger community
- Encouraging the removal of any ‘higher risk’ cattle from the population
How did the Program work?
Effective surveillance was achieved via the National Granuloma Submission Program. This involved the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, States and the Northern Territory working together to maximise the number of granulomatous lesions found in cattle at slaughter. The samples were submitted to approved veterinary laboratories and examined for evidence of tuberculosis according to a national protocol.
The States and Northern Territory were responsible for all the activities necessary to effectively monitor for, diagnose and manage the eradication of tuberculosis. This included providing policy advice, legislation and all infrastructure to support diagnostic and eradication activities. Animal Health Australia coordinated management and funding for the program and a formal Deed of Agreement described the responsibilities of the parties including the Australian Government, States and Territory governments and the dairy and beef industries.
For full details on the key achievements of the program, download the TFAP Final Report.
Development of TFAP2
A mid-term review of TFAP was held in late 2000 and considered the need for a further period of surveillance for TB after the conclusion of TFAP in December 2002. The review team recommended that a further four-year program be established to commence in January 2003, this program is known as TFAP2. For further details about TFAP2 please click here.
Further Information
Page Updated: 1 July 2005