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Foot-and-mouth disease
When it comes to on-farm biosecurity it is often said that if it moves, it can carry diseases, pests and weeds. The movement of people, vehicles and equipment creates a high risk of a biosecurity incursion, second only to the introduction of new plants, livestock and farm supplies (such as feed). With governments encouraging people to travel within Australia (despite constantly changing COVID-19 restrictions), Animal Health Australia (AHA) is encouraging all people to consider the impact their actions have on rural environments.
As the holidays are now upon us and following the lifting of many restrictions imposed due to COVID-19, many Australians will be looking to travel to visit family and friends, or simply get out of town. Animal Health Australia is reminding anyone travelling or expecting guests to be aware of the biosecurity implications that come with travel to our farms, national parks and other regional areas at this time of year. Don’t forget that any movement of people, vehicles and equipment can create new pathways for a biosecurity incursion.
Inspectors at border checkpoints on main roads between states and at airports are still looking for fruit and veggies that can’t be moved between states.
Producers in Tasmania will once again have access to an animal health monitoring and biosecurity network, funded by Animal Health Australia (AHA) and the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. The network, coordinated by veterinarian Dr Bruce Jackson, aims to bring together service providers – such as private veterinarians, stock agents, rural merchandisers and shearing contractors – to conduct livestock health monitoring during their time spent on-farm, especially those with sheep.
Christina Cook, Manager of the National Fruit Fly Council, is reminding people that it’s not a good idea to leave fallen fruit in an orchard.
If one thing is clear about travelling in 2020, it’s how important it is to be upfront about where you’ve been and make sure you have the correct paperwork for the journey. During a disease outbreak, knowing where each new case has come from is vitally important to understand how the disease is spreading.
Have you considered what you’d do if your livestock were unable to leave your property when you want or need them too? There’s a lot to consider when faced with the possibility of keeping livestock in place indefinitely, especially the availability of feed, water and other supplies. You may end up missing key dates in your calendar, such as shows, sales or sending your livestock to a processor.
