Qld: Cuban expert gets tick of approval

AAP General News (Australia)
12-03-2007
Qld: Cuban expert gets tick of approval

BRISBANE, Dec 3 AAP - A cattle tick vaccine could be developed as early as 2010 with
the recruitment of a leading Cuban scientist to Queensland, state Primary Industries Minister
Tim Mulherin says.

Mr Mulherin said the recruitment of Dr Manuel Rodriguez Valle had given the department's
reputation as a trendsetter in the field of tick control a significant boost.

Dr Rodriguez Valle specialises in genetic engineering and molecular biology and was
a key player in the development and trialling of Gavac - a vaccine used to control the
Boophilus microplus tick in Cuba.

"The cattle and calf industry alone is worth more than $3.5 billion to Queensland's
economy, with a substantial profit of $175 million sliced off the top of that due to the
impact of ticks just in the northern regions," Mr Mulherin said.

"Cattle ticks affect countries all over the world but Australia needs to be vigilant
in continuing to search for a vaccine due to the size of the industry."

The project, based at the Animal Research Institute at Yeerongpilly, in Brisbane's
south, is due to be completed in 2010.

AAP jmm/pjo/jh/bwl

KEYWORD: TICKS

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