Border security beefed up amid foot and mouth scare

TASMANIA’S border biosecurity regime will be bolstered in response to the Indonesian foot and mouth disease outbreak.

Foot and mouth is a contagious viral disease of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs with severe consequences for animal health and trade.

The disease was found in Indonesian livestock in May and spread to Bali.

Primary Industries and Water Minister Jo Palmer said eight additional biosecurity staff would be placed at Tasmania’s border entry points to conduct inspection and surveillance.

Ms Palmer said new signs at major arrival points would encourage travellers returning from Indonesia to make themselves known to biosecurity inspectors on arrival so their clothing and luggage could be checked for contaminants.

“Foot and mouth disease can live for long periods on clothing, shoes and equipment, so it is important travellers clean these items thoroughly, especially if they have visited farms or rural areas of Indonesia,” she said.

“Australia is free of foot and mouth disease and while the risk of it entering remains low, the Tasmanian government is continuing to work together with the Australian government, industry and the community to further safeguard our borders.”

Opposition primary industries spokeswoman Janie Finlay said the government had been slow to act.

“The government needs to ensure that the state has tight biosecurity measures for those entering Tasmania from every flight and port,’’ she said.

“We must use the fact that Tasmania is an island to our advantage, much like we did with the Covid pandemic. Minister Palmer’s announcement … has done little to alleviate concerns that the government is [ill] prepared for a worst-case scenario.”

Ms Finlay said Tasmania should to adopt the Victorian model of electronic tracking of livestock.

There is no threat to human health from foot and mouth disease and it is unrelated to human hand, foot and mouth disease. Anyone with concerns an animal has the disease should call the all-hours Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.