Taxpayers to pay for quarantine bungle

Taxpayers will foot the bill to treat New Caledonian cattle infected with tick fever after a bungle by Australia's quarantine service.

New Caledonia's cattle industry is under threat after a shipment of Australian cows last year induced an outbreak of babesiosis - or tick fever.

Agriculture Minister Tony Burke spoke with New Caledonian president Harold Martin.

He said the New Caledonian government had agreed to a program of cattle treatment with the drug Imizol to eradicate the disease.

"The Australian government will meet this cost and is urgently sending supplies of the drug to New Caledonia," Mr Burke said.

"It is likely that treatment could begin tomorrow afternoon."

The treatment will cost about $70,000.

Australia's chief vet Dr Andy Carroll has been in New Caledonia this week and several experts will remain there while cattle are tested and treated.

Seven cows had already died from the disease, Mr Burke said.

Cattle vaccinated against babesiosis were exported to New Caledonia on November 23 last year.

However, the Pacific nation's requirements dictate that imported cattle should receive a chemical treatment.

Animals vaccinated against babesiosis can be a source of infection to ticks.

Mr Burke said there had clearly been a certification error by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service.

Last month, Mr Burke ordered a wide-ranging review of Australia's quarantine procedures, headed by former environment department secretary Roger Beale.

The Beale review is due to report to the minister by July 31 this year.