Development of a National Standard for Pregnancy Diagnosis

⁠⁠⁠Accurately establishing the pregnancy status of a female animal is unquestionably the most basic and fundamental tool required to manage reproductive efficiency in a breeding herd. Cattle producers and supply chain participants require access to standardised, good quality, cost-effective pregnancy diagnostic services, essential for on-farm reproductive management and for meeting a variety of market specifications. The purpose of this project is to investigate the nature, and quantify the extent of reported shortcomings in existing arrangements for pregnancy diagnosis in Australia, identify causes and depending on those findings make recommendations on how a National Standard for Pregnancy Testing Cattle might ensure the following:

* the availability of quality pregnancy diagnostic services which meet nation animal welfare and biosecurity standards;
* regulatory control that will engender confidence in the standards and integrity of available commercial services;
* equitable market access where lay and veterinary pregnancy testers operate on a level playing field;
* a viable market structure based on a fee for service and/or cost recovery model.

This project will be conducted in two phases. Progress to phase two will be in accordance with the outcomes of phase one.

PHASE 1: Conduct a comprehensive assessment of commercial pregnancy testing arrangements currently operating in Australia and resources required for addressing identified gaps.

PHASE 2: Develop recommendations for a National Standard for Pregnancy Diagnosis of Cattle.

EOIs addressing the selection criteria should be submitted electronically by 6.00pm EDST Friday the 16th February 2018.

Enquiries and EOIs should be directed to Christine Purdy, Project Manager. Email: cpurdy@mla.com.au