DETECTOR DOGS IN RESIDUE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

In response for the query of more information on these beautiful intelligent working dogs.

The use of organochlorines were banned in Australia and a recall of all organochlorines on farm.

In 1995 the NORM (National Organochlorine Residue Management program) commenced. The focus to pin point source contamination at farm level. The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries in Queensland took the iniative with a world first to develop and train a residue-detection dog, hence the first trained dog Norm.



The dogs offer advantages in savings in time and people resources, reduced numbers of soil tests to accurately pinpoint the contaminated site/s.

They have travelled all over Australia and to New Zealand to identify potential chemical residue sites, are a safeguard to protect Australia's hard-won reputation for its clean green primary industry products.

Handler, Greg Horrocks, travels throughout Queensland schools promoting animal welfare and help children understand their duty of care and responsibility towards animals.

The dogs can be hired on a fee-for-service basis for anyone seeking an assessment of sites for OC contamination.

I would imagine if buying a land holding and were concerned about past use of organochlorine chemicals the dogs would be of huge benefit.