Disease free

Despite an outbreak in neighboring Indonesia, Murray Watt – minister for agriculture – and an Australian industry task force confirmed that African swine fever (ASF), foot and mouth disease (FMD), and lumpy skin disease (LSD) are not present in the country.

• The group intends that Australia maintains its disease-free status but noted it will require vigilant inspection and testing of imported food products and travelers.
• Mr. Watt is confident he’s getting the advice on biosecurity he needs, and that science is key. The minister said that the government and the industry should make sure resources are directed to what’s going to work, rather than to what may sound good but may not work.

Biosecurity is going to be even tighter at airports and commercial centers, with more biosecurity officers, screening of passengers and luggage, employment of detector dogs, and sanitizing food baths.

• In addition, Australia is providing 1 million doses of foot-and-mouth vaccine to Indonesia on top of vaccines already provided for LSD. 
• Australia had also gone through food inspections at supermarkets, when they detected viral fragments in products brought into the country.

Watt recently met with every state and territory agriculture minister to ensure they’re doing everything they can in the event of an outbreak. He says it's the responsibility of the traveling public, farmers, and retailers.