Foot & Mouth Disease Hub
Overview
- Know the risks of Foot and Mouth Disease for grassfed cattle producers
- What steps has the Government taken, and what is CCA asking for?
- What are the Signs and Symptoms of Foot and Mouth Disease?
- What Should Producers Do? PLUS Resources to help you plan
- Join a free Webinar and put your questions to industry leaders
- Read Cattle Council’s Public Statements on Foot and Mouth Disease
With the recent detection of Foot and Mouth Disease in Bali and Indonesia more broadly, an expert panel within the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries believes there is now an 11.6% chance of a Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak within the next five years, this is up from 9% before the virus was detected in Indonesia.
Foot and Mouth Disease is prevalent in many places around the world including Africa, Asia and South America. Australia has successfully kept Foot and Mouth Disease out for 150 years through targeted biosecurity measures.
By exercising vigilance we can keep Foot and Mouth Disease out of Australia, but it is important everyone knows the risks we face and what they can do to prevent the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease.
In a worst-case scenario, an outbreak could cost the Australian economy $80 billion over ten years and cause significant disruptions to the food supply chain in Australia.
Foot and Mouth Disease does not have an impact on meat quality or Human Health and should not be confused with Hand, Foot and Mouth disease in children.
If your cattle show signs of FMD, you must report it immediately. Call the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888, or your local veterinarian. Keep an eye out for:
- fever
- drooling and excessive salivation
- reluctance to move
- blisters on the mouth, snout, tongue, lips or between and above the hooves. Blisters may be intact or rupture – exposing raw tissue and causing pain.
Cattle Council expects Federal and State Governments to increase biosecurity funding as the risk of a biosecurity incursion increases.
So far the response from the Federal Government has been appropriate in matching the increased risk.
- The introduction of disinfectant floor mats at Australian airports
- The introduction of biosecurity detector dogs in Darwin and Cairns Airports
- More prominent information at airports informing travellers of FMD risk and precautions
- Information campaigns informing travellers of their biosecurity responsibilities
- Additional training of airport biosecurity staff
- Enhancement of mail profiling and inspections, and
- Screening 100% of passengers on randomly-selected flights from Indonesia
- $9 million for 18 new biosecurity officers in airports and mail centres, and targeted diagnostic and surveillance activities targeting FMD and LSD.
- $5 million to provide technical expertise and support to Indonesia, Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea to assist in their work in combatting livestock diseases.
In addition, Cattle Council is calling for the Federal Government to also consider:
- A review of spot-fines to make sure they provide a sufficient deterrent to people who provide a false biosecurity declaration.
- Increased investment in livestock traceability to help provide cover for all red meat species.
While Cattle Council supports the use of airport foot baths as part of a mix of preventative measures, we acknowledge they provide far from 100% protection. This is because they only sanitise the shoes on a traveller’s feet.
In the event of an outbreak, the last line of defence against Foot and Mouth Disease will be at the entry to your property.
While we can’t eliminate 100% of risks, a well-managed property with an up-to-date biosecurity plan will be able to significantly reduce the likelihood of Foot and Mouth Disease infections.
Reducing movements of people and animals on and off your property is key to reducing the likelihood of a disease outbreak on your farm.
Know the signs of Foot and mouth disease (FMD) and what to look out for in your cloven-hoofed animals, and who to contact if you spot anything unusual.
- Cattle may show fever, be drooling and will be reluctant to move.
- They can suffer blisters on the mouth, tongue, lips or feet.
- Blisters may be intact or ruptured, exposing raw tissue which is very painful.
People in northern Australia need to be particularly vigilant. Not only do they need to check their livestock but if signs are seen in feral pigs, goats, camels or water buffalo, immediate action needs to be taken.
Producers can help prevent an outbreak by:
- Reporting any signs of the disease observed in your cloven-hoofed animals immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888 or to your local veterinarian.
- Adhering to all traceability obligations, including ensuring all documentation is correctly completed – reference to https://www.integritysystems.com.au/on-farm-assurance/livestock-movements/
- Reviewing your on-farm biosecurity plan https://www.integritysystems.com.au/on-farm-assurance/Biosecurity/
Information on upcoming biosecurity webinars will appear here. Please see previous online events below.
ISC Biosecurity Webinar – 9 August 2022
Find out how to protect your livestock and livelihood from biosecurity risks and learn practical hints and tips. Put your questions to an expert panel of speakers from ISC, Meat & Livestock Australia and Animal Health Australia
Industry Webinar on FMD and LSD – 20 July 2022
Find out how you can be on the lookout for lumpy skin disease and foot-and-mouth disease and get the latest information on the emerging situation. Guests include Agriculture Minister Murray Watt, NFF President; Fiona Simson, RMAC Chair; John McKillop and Dr Samantha Allen from AHA.
- Farm Biosecurity Advice
- Farm Biosecurity Action Planner
- Order a Biosecurity Gate Sign
- Advice from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
- National Vendor Declarations
- Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888