AUSTRALIA will be split into just two Ovine Johne's Disease regions by next January.

And all producers will be deemed in a control area unless their region can come up with a biosecurity plan.

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The changes to the current OJD program were jointly announced by the Sheepmeat Council of Australia and Wool Producers on Monday.

The major change to the current rules, which designate high, medium and low-prevalence areas for OJD, is that there will be only two classifications - protected or control.

Groups of producers will need to establish their credentials and develop a regional biosecurity plan before they will be classed as a protected area.

Unless they can do this by January 1 next year, their area will be considered a control area, regardless of its current status.

While the new program is national, it will be implemented on a state-by-state basis.

The peak groups have recommended a phase-in period after the current strategy expires in July, but have committed to have the new program running by January 1, 2013.

Sheepmeat Council of Australia chief executive Ron Cullen said there was a "need for a truly national program" to stop the spread of the disease.

"A highly regulated system with lines on a map is not successful in controlling the disease," he said.

"Regional biosecurity plans will allow producers to take responsibility for the control of OJD and they can actively manage the risk."

Wool Producers president Geoff Power said the final details of the new plan would be released soon.

"We are working with Animal Health Australia to expedite the process," Mr Power said.

Other parts of the new program include keeping the abattoir surveillance program, reviewing sheep health statements and the assurance-based credit scheme, and promoting management to help control OJD.

Victorian Farmers Federation president Andrew Broad said OJD had been a difficult issue for the organisation, especially with its early stance that flocks needed to be destroyed to eradicate the disease.

"We now understand that it is impossible to eradicate OJD, but it is possible to manage it," Mr Broad said.

"Any move which makes the system more workable for producers but still contains the spread of the disease must be good for producers."