FMD outbreak could cripple industries
As agricultural organisations ramp up preparations to prevent a foot and mouth disease outbreak in Australia, a local meat industry spokesperson has warned how devastating an outbreak would be for meat producers.
Rob Radford of Radfords abattoir in Warragul has a long association with the meat industry and its governing bodies.
He said the meat processing industry’s biggest fear was a foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak would result in a lockdown of all livestock to stop the diseasing spreading.
He said this would essentially mean the paddock to plate movement would cease.
FMD was reported in cattle in Indonesia in May. Australian meat and dairy producers fear a single case of the disease could shut down their industries.
Mr Radford said depending on how bad an outbreak was and where it was located, a lockdown could stop movement of livestock from saleyards to meat processing facilities or even direct from farms.
“If that happens, we would soon run out of meat. It is very contagious and it is very scary.
“It could have a big impact on our export markets if people don’t want to buy our product.
“We are not talking weeks or even months, we are talking years of lockdown,” he said.
FMD outbreaks in the United Kingdom in 2001 and 2007 resulted in millions of animals being destroyed and billions of dollars of revenue lost.
Mr Radford admitted it was early days but it appeared authorities were moving quickly to be prepared for an outbreak if it occurred.
“Mad cow and FMD have been floating around the world for years and we don’t want it here. But the proximity to Indonesia and the amount of tourists that come and go there puts us at risk,” he said.
Mr Radford said livestock levies had been placed into an industry fund to be used for scenarios like an FMD outbreak.
He said because of that fund, Victoria was well positioned and well prepared to do everything it could to protect the long term viability of the industry.
Agriculture Victoria is ensuring staff are ready to respond to any biosecurity threats after fragments of FMD and African Swine Fever (ASF) were detected in pork products at a Melbourne retail outlet last week.Agriculture Minister Gayle Tierney said preparing for a potential FMD detection was the number one priority for Agriculture Victoria and the team was working hand in glove with the Commonwealth doing everything it can to keep Australia FMD-free.
She said the livestock industry and peak bodies were key partners that were regularly briefed to ensure they understood their responsibilities and know what to do to manage the threat of FMD.
Agriculture Victoria staff are undertaking FMD-specific training, scenario planning, and participating in emergency exercises to ensure they’re ready to respond quickly if there is a positive detection in livestock.
New on-farm biosecurity methods regarding the safe disposal of animals in the instance of an outbreak are also being trialed, as well as investigation of potential suspect cases on the ground.
Victoria is also is the only jurisdiction to have a mandatory electronic National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) for sheep and goats, supporting rapid traceability, which is critical in a livestock biosecurity response.
The most significant risk of entry of FMD into Australia is through illegal meat and dairy products infected with the FMD virus being fed to pigs.
“Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility, and we all need to help protect our agriculture, our economy and our unique natural environment.
“Agriculture Victoria continues to work hard to ensure its staff are prepared for any biosecurity risks from exotic disease such as foot-andmouth,” she said.