August 18, 2022
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious animal disease that affects all cloven-hoofed animals including cattle, sheep, goats, camelids, deer and pigs. FMD is considered one of Australia’s greatest biosecurity risks and an incursion would have severe consequences on animal health and trade.
The FMD virus is carried by live animals and in meat and dairy products as well as soil, bones, untreated hides, vehicle and equipment. The virus can also be carried on clothing and footwear.
With FMD on our borders, it is vital that producers know the potential impacts they may face and what they can do as a mixed farmer to prepare.
Plant Health Australia (PHA) hosted an online overview of FMD on Tuesday, 16 August. Sarah Corcoran, CEO of PHA, moderated the webinar, with presentations by Kathleen Plowman, CEO of Animal Health Australia (AHA), Dr Therese Wright, Head of Program Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA) at AHA, and Stuart Kearns, National Manager Preparedness and RD&E at PHA.
Presentations focused on what is happening at the national and jurisdictional level; what plant industries can expect to happen in an Emergency Animal Disease response; and the role of biosecurity planning in preparing a property.
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