Increased surveillance over the last three years has found that the prevalence of ovine Johne’s disease (OJD) in Australia is greater than previously believed. Trading restrictions and recent stock movement controls have added to the productivity losses of OJD affected producers in an attempt to minimise further spread of the disease while scientific data to support long term policy decisions is obtained through the National OJD Control and Evaluation Program. The literature on the economics of OJD in Australia is reviewed and a framework for further work in this area developed. Directions for economic research within the National Program are then presented.