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Foot-and-mouth disease
Since its implementation in Australia in 1997, Australia’s RFB remains one of the key pillars in safeguarding the nation’s livestock industry from transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), including bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or Mad cow disease and scrapie.
Australia has never had a case of BSE. The RFB aims to prevent potential TSEs spread by restricting the feeding of certain animal-derived materials to ruminants and ensuring that Australian meat and other livestock products meet domestic and international market requirements.
The scope of the RFB and restricted animal material (RAM) definition
Under the RFB, the feeding of RAM to ruminants is strictly prohibited. RAM encompasses any material derived from vertebrate animals, including meat, eggs, meat and bone meal, blood meal, poultry offal meal, feather meal, fishmeal, or any other animal meals or manure. However, exceptions include substances like tallow, gelatine, milk and milk products (of Australian origin) and certain oils treated to remove RAM in compliance with the National Standard for Recycling of Used Cooking Fats and Oils Intended for Animal Feeds.
The ban is crucial for preventing the spread of TSEs, which could have devastating impacts on the agricultural sector, international trade and public health. By ensuring that ruminants do not consume RAM, Australia limits the chances of TSEs spreading, should they ever occur.
States and territories compliance
The enforcement of the RFB is managed by state/territory Department of Primary Industry across Australia with close collaboration from industry stakeholders. Authorities play a vital role in ensuring compliance with the national feed ban by conducting inspections based on national guidelines across the feed supply chain. Regular audits are also implemented by the ruminant livestock and stockfeed manufacturing industries in Australia through quality assurance programs.
Their responsibilities include verifying that livestock producers, renderers, stock feed manufacturers and retailers adhere to the national feed ban legislation.
Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Freedom Assurance Program (TSEFAP)
TSEFAP, managed by Animal Health Australia, is a key national initiative to safeguard Australian animals and animal products from TSEs. The program is designed to enhance market confidence by ensuring strict risk minimisation measures are in place to maintain Australia’s TSE-free status. TSEFAP seeks to implement sufficient surveillance to meet international trading requirements, ensure early detection of any potential TSE occurrence and maintain the country’s high international rating in relation to BSE and scrapie.
Additionally, the program aims to verify that no RAM is fed to ruminants and in the past managed the risks posed by imported animals from countries affected by BSE. Through TSEFAP, stakeholders are engaged in addressing animal-related TSE issues, ensuring that Australia’s regulatory framework remains robust and aligned with international standards.
Recommendations for livestock producers
To maintain the integrity of the RFB and safeguard the health of Australia’s livestock industry, it is essential for livestock producers to adhere to the following practices:
Non-compliance penalties
It is important to note that heavy penalties can apply to anyone found guilty of:
For more information, visit https://animalhealthaustralia.com.au/australian-ruminant-feed-ban/
