BIOSECURITY QUEENSLAND PREPARED FOR FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE
Published Thursday, 09 August, 2007 at 09:46 AM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Queensland’s lead agency for emergency animal disease threats DPI&F Biosecurity Queensland is warning farmers and the travelling public to comply with regulations relating to the feeding of food scraps to livestock, following the current foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in the United Kingdom.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said all states and territories had been working to enhance their emergency response plans for FMD.
“But the key message for the public and the livestock owners is that prevention is the best form of defence against such diseases,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“It is illegal to feed food, bread or other kitchen scraps containing meat or dairy products to livestock such as pigs, cattle, sheep or goats.
“Feeding scraps to pigs is often the way FMD enters an otherwise disease-free country. This was the case in the 2001 outbreak in the UK.
“Salami or cheese products imported from countries where FMD is known to exist are particularly high risk and tourists must declare any of these products to quarantine officers as they enter Australia.”
Since the 2001 FMD outbreak in the UK, DPI&F has been closely involved in FMD national response and containment plans.
A number of findings from the 2002 national FMD simulation Exercise Minotaur have been addressed to enhance Queensland and national biosecurity arrangements.
Mr Mulherin said one outcome was the formation of the National Rapid Response Team for emergency animal diseases.
“Queensland contributes nine senior operational staff to the national rapid response team and the skills and resources developed as a result are world class,” he said.
“DPI&F is also leading a whole-of-government working group on foot and mouth disease. These include rules and operating procedures and communications arrangements for the declaration of a statewide stock standstill zone.’’
Biosecurity Queensland Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Ron Glanville said: “A stock standstill declaration is necessary to ensure that any FMD infected stock do not spread the disease widely around Queensland, interstate or overseas.’’
Dr Glanville said national arrangements also were in place for public awareness and media support including a national call centre and web site and pre-produced advertisements.
Dr Glanville reinforced the necessity for all livestock owners to develop an on-farm biosecurity plan to protect their business and their industry against exotic or emergency animal diseases such as FMD.
“While larger operations may already have a strategy in place it is crucial for all livestock owners to have on-farm biosecurity plan,’’ Dr Glanville said.
More information on the FMD situation in the UK and steps producers can take to enhance on-farm biosecurity can be found at the DPI&F web site www.dpi.qld.gov.au/FMD
Producers are urged to report any sudden cases of unexplained cattle deaths to their local vet or a Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries biosecurity inspector on 13 25 23 or on the national disease watch hotline 1800 675 888.
(NOTE TO EDITORS: High res digital images of cows with clinical symptoms of foot and disease and images of the 2002 FMD control are available.)
Media:
Minister’s office 32396530;
DPI&F Rod Thompson 0409 725452;
DPI&F Call Centre 13 25 23 (weekdays 8 am to 6 pm)
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said all states and territories had been working to enhance their emergency response plans for FMD.
“But the key message for the public and the livestock owners is that prevention is the best form of defence against such diseases,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“It is illegal to feed food, bread or other kitchen scraps containing meat or dairy products to livestock such as pigs, cattle, sheep or goats.
“Feeding scraps to pigs is often the way FMD enters an otherwise disease-free country. This was the case in the 2001 outbreak in the UK.
“Salami or cheese products imported from countries where FMD is known to exist are particularly high risk and tourists must declare any of these products to quarantine officers as they enter Australia.”
Since the 2001 FMD outbreak in the UK, DPI&F has been closely involved in FMD national response and containment plans.
A number of findings from the 2002 national FMD simulation Exercise Minotaur have been addressed to enhance Queensland and national biosecurity arrangements.
Mr Mulherin said one outcome was the formation of the National Rapid Response Team for emergency animal diseases.
“Queensland contributes nine senior operational staff to the national rapid response team and the skills and resources developed as a result are world class,” he said.
“DPI&F is also leading a whole-of-government working group on foot and mouth disease. These include rules and operating procedures and communications arrangements for the declaration of a statewide stock standstill zone.’’
Biosecurity Queensland Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Ron Glanville said: “A stock standstill declaration is necessary to ensure that any FMD infected stock do not spread the disease widely around Queensland, interstate or overseas.’’
Dr Glanville said national arrangements also were in place for public awareness and media support including a national call centre and web site and pre-produced advertisements.
Dr Glanville reinforced the necessity for all livestock owners to develop an on-farm biosecurity plan to protect their business and their industry against exotic or emergency animal diseases such as FMD.
“While larger operations may already have a strategy in place it is crucial for all livestock owners to have on-farm biosecurity plan,’’ Dr Glanville said.
More information on the FMD situation in the UK and steps producers can take to enhance on-farm biosecurity can be found at the DPI&F web site www.dpi.qld.gov.au/FMD
Producers are urged to report any sudden cases of unexplained cattle deaths to their local vet or a Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries biosecurity inspector on 13 25 23 or on the national disease watch hotline 1800 675 888.
(NOTE TO EDITORS: High res digital images of cows with clinical symptoms of foot and disease and images of the 2002 FMD control are available.)
Media:
Minister’s office 32396530;
DPI&F Rod Thompson 0409 725452;
DPI&F Call Centre 13 25 23 (weekdays 8 am to 6 pm)