AN outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Australia would be catastrophic and here in the Riverina producers are watching overseas events unfold.
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Industry leaders are assessing the devastating outbreak as it wreaks havoc in Indonesia. Australia has remained FMD free for more than 100 years.
Here in the Riverina millions of dollars directly and indirectly hinge on the Wagga Livestock Marketing Centre and some of Australia's most influential sheep and cattle stud stock operations are in the area.
Australian Livestock and Property Agents president, and Nutrien Wagga livestock manager, Peter Cabot said producers were understandably concerned.
"If it (FMD) gets in it would be an absolute catastrophe," he said.
At marketing centres including Griffith and Corowa there was a drop in lamb prices in the past seven days. The cattle market also lost lustre. Mr Cabot said this fluctuation could be attributed to a "very measured approach" by restockers.
Meanwhile, there's still a high element of concern about the level of risk in Australia and fear escalated last week when FMD viral fragments were detected in cooked meat products in Melbourne and Adelaide.
While there have been calls for use of the vaccine Australia's Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Mark Schipp explained this country was recognised as "free from FMD, without vaccination."
This allows Australia's international trade to continue. If vaccination was implemented, Australia would lose this status.
Meanwhile, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES), estimates that a large FMD incursion across multiple states would have an economic impact of $80 billion over 10 years.
NSW Farmers Bio-security chairman Ian McColl told The Rural much of the risk spotlight has been on passengers returning to Australia by plane and the imminent risk.
He said we must not neglect products that enter Australia by mail, or sea.
He has also criticised politicians and pundits stoking outrage about foot and mouth disease, saying it is a serious issue that needs unity, not division.
"I see some people out there using this outbreak as a weapon to further their own ends, and frankly it's pretty disappointing," Mr McColl said.
"Farmers have argued for stronger, sustainably-funded biosecurity systems for years, this isn't something that's just happened overnight.
"What Australia needs is all levels of government and all members of the community to come together and keep this disease out. Fanning the flames of fear will not help one little bit."
"Last week we saw FMD fragments detected that didn't come from Bali on a tourist's thongs, they came in meat products from Asia," Mr McColl said.
"Those people out there suggested we need to slam shut travel to Indonesia don't understand that would only give a false sense of security, which could actually increase the risk of FMD coming from elsewhere.
"We have strongly advocated for the federal government to boost screening and put foot baths at our airports, the state government has boosted biosecurity funding, now it's up to all of us to do the right thing and stop spreading fear and rumour."
From World Organisation for Animal Health:
- Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a severe, highly contagious viral disease of livestock that has a significant economic impact.
- The disease affects cattle, swine, sheep, goats and other cloven-hoofed ruminants.
- FMD is characterised by fever and blister-like sores on the tongue and lips, in the mouth, on the teats and between the hooves.
- The disease causes severe production losses, and while the majority of affected animals recover, the disease often leaves them weakened and debilitated.
- It is a trans-boundary animal disease (TAD) that deeply affect the production of livestock and disrupting regional and international trade in animals and animal products.
- The disease is estimated to circulate in 77 per cent of the global livestock population, in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, as well as in a limited area of South America.
- Countries that are currently free of FMD without vaccination remain under constant threat of an incursion.
- Seventy-five percent of the costs attributed to FMD prevention and control are incurred by low income and lower-middle income countries.
From NSW Department of Primary Industries:
- The emergence and rapid spread of FMD in Indonesia has led to the implementation of heightened alert and screening activities at the Australian border by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
- Indonesia had been free from FMD since 1986 and the May 2022 detection brings the disease the closest it has been to Australia since that time
- It is critical that all livestock owners know the signs of FMD, and check their animals for them regularly
- If you suspect FMD in any animal in NSW, report it immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline, 1800 675 888
- Veterinarians undertaking FMD Field Investigations can submit samples to the NSW Animal and Plant Health Laboratories at DPI Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute for testing
- It is recommended that people who have been in contact with FMD-infected animals or infected areas DO NOT visit Australian farms, livestock facilities, or handle livestock for at least seven days after returning to Australia.
- It is critical that all livestock owners here in Australia know what FMD looks like, and that they check their animals regularly. If you suspect any signs of FMD it must be reported to the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888 or a local veterinarian immediately.
Rural journalist with Fairfax media based in the Riverina.
Rural journalist with Fairfax media based in the Riverina.
