What you need to know about foot & mouth Disease
July 2022
With the recent threat of Foot & Mouth Disease to Australia, we thought it was important to share some information on what we are doing Macka’s to minimise risk, as well as what is already in place to keep our industry safe and allow us to continue to produce the best food in the world.
Foot & Mouth Disease is a genuine threat to the Agricultural Industry, so we all must take responsibility for our actions, both those on-farm in Australia and those returning from overseas.
For us Macka’s this means ensuring our on-farm biosecurity plan is up-to-date, providing boot wash that all visitors are expected to use, and keeping a log of everyone that visits our farm.
Let's all stay calm and support those who are working hard to keep this out of Australia.
What is Foot & Mouth Disease?
Foot & Mouth disease is a highly contagious disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals (Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, Goats).
Animals suffer fever and blister in the mouth an on the feet, affecting their ability to eat and walk.
How Does it Spread?
FMD can be transmitted in air particles between animals housed closely together. And it's easily spread through contaminated feed and water, animal transport vehicles, and equipment
In humans, the virus is most likely spread via mud/soil on clothing and footwear and also in food related products.
Why is Foot & Mouth Disease a threat to Australia?
Infected animals would be humanely destroyed.
Movement of livestock would be restricted.
Other countries would impose trade bans to protect their own farms and industry.
The primary impact of an FMD outbreak is to trade and the economy. As soon as FMD was detected, Australia would lose most of its meat export markets. Australia exports approx. 70% of our livestock and meat products.
What happens if it gets to Australia?
The AUSVET plan gets implemented:
Minimising disease spread by implementing strict biosecurity and movement controls over animals, animal products, and fomites in declared areas.
Stopping the movement of all susceptible livestock, initially for a period of 72 hours, to allow time to assess the epidemiological situation.
Tracing and surveillance to identify infected animals and animals in contact with infected animals.
Valuing and destroying infected animals and animal products and disposing of them in a sanitary way.
Decontaminating facilities, products, equipment and objects to limit the spread of the virus.
Running public awareness campaigns.
Enabling relief and recovery programs to minimise animal and human welfare issues.
What can we do?
Create awareness, educate and encourage individuals to take responsibility for their own actions both on-farm in Australia and for travellers returning from overseas.
Farmers who own cattle, pigs, sheep, buffalo, deer, camels, alpacas, llamas or goats need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and how to be prepared.
Ensure you have an up-to-date On-Farm biosecurity plan including keeping a log of who is coming onto your farm and monitoring for the disease.
For more information head to:
https://animalhealthaustralia.com.au/ausvetplan/
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/pests-diseases-weeds/animal/fmd#education-and-awareness
