Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Biosecurity Queensland regional manager, Tim Farry, said the Animal Disease Investigation Training for inspectors from across the state provided a valuable opportunity for officers to refine their observation, animal examination and autopsy procedural skills under the guidance of highly experienced officers.

"Being able to successfully remove animal's brains is a specific requirement for the National Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Surveillance Program that demonstrates that Australia is free of Mad Cow disease and scrapie in sheep," Mr Farry said.

"At the completion of this workshop, we will have additional biosecurity inspectors with the capacity and confidence to undertake animal disease assessments and to conduct an autopsy safely.

"As a component of the national surveillance program, Queensland has a targeted requirement to submit brain samples from suitable animals that have shown neurological (nervous) signs or behavioural changes that are not responsive to treatment.

"Additional criteria are that cattle must be more than 30 months of age or sheep more than 18 months old.

"Through this program, producers are entitled to a $300-a-head incentive payment for suitable cattle, and $50 a head for sheep, submitted for testing."

Biosecurity Queensland principal veterinary officer Dr Rick Whittle (Rockhampton) teamed with fellow veterinarian Dr Binendra Pratap (Longreach), veterinary pathologist Dr Bruce Hill (Brisbane) and Clermont senior inspector Les Howard, to conduct the workshop.

The sessions highlighted the importance of gaining all relevant and correct information from the producer.