Remaining vigilant on biosecurity our best weapon against disease

By Jason Strong, Managing Director at Meat & Livestock Australia

In an address to the National Rural Press Club in Canberra in August, federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt released Australia’s first National Biosecurity Strategy. It comes as various threats to our livestock and agricultural sectors have reached nearby countries. The risks include foot and mouth disease (FMD), lumpy skin disease (LSD) and African swine fever (ASF), which have spread to nearby Asian countries.

These threats, and many others, have been long-term risks that we have successfully managed. Thanks to some of the strictest biosecurity protocols in the world, Australia continues to remain completely free from FMD, LSD and ASF.

I recently had the opportunity to see first-hand how the Australian Government’s biosecurity measures are increasing proportionally to the increasing risk. Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) was one of a few livestock industry organisations who had a behind-the-scenes inspection of Sydney’s International Airport. Hosted by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry's Biosecurity and Compliance Group, the tour showcased a step-by-step review of the increased biosecurity measures in place from plane arrival through to baggage collection and exit.

We saw many of the new biosecurity measures that have been put in place. We also learnt how travellers to and from countries such as Indonesia are exposed to more than 20 biosecurity touch points, enhancing the biosecurity wall protecting Australia from exotic animal diseases.

The tour provided assurance that the border measures are comprehensive and targeted.

Biosecurity isn’t just about what happens at the border. Just as everyone in the general public has a role to play, primary producers and landowners also have a role to play in protecting their properties and industries. This is important for stopping the spread of both exotic threats and endemic pests, weeds and diseases.

Good biosecurity practices prevent the spread of infectious disease and invasive pests or weeds between farms as well as protecting Australia from diseases and weeds that occur overseas. Biosecurity procedures address the containment of disease outbreaks when they occur.

While the Australian Government carries the responsibility for protecting Australia from biosecurity risks, the industry is doing everything it can to support their work. At MLA, we continually work with producers right around the country to ensure that their biosecurity protocols are up to scratch. We have also put together a range of information on biosecurity, including how review on-farm biosecurity plans. You can access this information on our website.

With the recent outbreaks of FMD and LSD in Indonesia, it is particularly important for livestock producers to understand their responsibilities, be vigilant and on the lookout.

Effective biosecurity practices address the identification and containment of disease outbreaks when they occur and detail the measures in place to prevent disease spread. MLA encourages producers to review and update their farm biosecurity plan regularly, and access and use the tools and resources available through Integrity Systems.

Traceability through the supply chain is vital in mitigating biosecurity threats. It is essential producers adhere to all National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) traceability obligations and ensure all documentation is correctly completed. This includes:

• NLIS transfers
• Tags and other animal identification
• LPA National Vendor Declarations (LPA NVD) and electronic NVDs (eNVDs)

The NLIS uses this information to provide a life history of an animal's movements and discern if contact with other livestock occurred. This is especially important should an exotic disease outbreak happen in Australia.

Producers, processors and feedlot operators need to remain extremely vigilant when it comes to the health of their livestock. We advise to regularly inspect livestock for ill health and disease and if any unusual signs of disease are observed, or if FMD or LSD is suspected, immediately call the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Australia's biosecurity system is a critical national asset and a shared responsibility between producers, industry and government.