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Biosecurity, Farming operations

Farmer action key to being prepared for biosecurity threats

February 2, 2023

By RICK GLADIGAU, AUSTRALIAN DAIRY FARMERS PRESIDENT

You’d have done well to escape commentary last year about Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) being closer than ever to Australian shores.

It has been 150 years since FMD was last in Australia. Currently, the threat of incursion has never been more real.
An expert panel’s assessment showed the probability of an incursion within the next five years had increased significantly. For LSD it more than doubled and the risk of an FMD incursion is up more than 30 per cent.
As the headlines of 2022 fade into the rear-view mirror and we power into 2023, Australian farmers would do well to remain aware of the threat. Behind the scenes, Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) has worked with countless other organisations to ensure the dairy industry is as best prepared as possible.

Dairy week serves up biosecurity for breakfast

Industry and government have worked together to update many aspects of preparedness and response plans in the past 12 months.
ADF provided an update on these preparations and an overview of the threat and outlook at an industry breakfast we hosted at International Dairy Week at Tatura, Victoria, last month.
The government has done a substantial amount of work to reduce risk and keep FMD out. It has responded to industry concerns by vaccinating cattle and improving biosecurity practice in Indonesia, increasing border controls and detector dogs and implementing other initiatives such as product import risk reviews including dairy products. This has lowered the risk and kept the virus out of Australia.
Looking ahead, ADF has made its position on emergency animal disease (EAD) preparedness clear. Together, dairy leaders are loudly advocating to the government for better preparedness on biosecurity.
In our submission to the Senate’s Inquiry into the Adequacy of Australia’s biosecurity measures and response preparedness, we highlighted ways to further improve Australia’s already commendable preparedness work.
We highlighted the need for ongoing biosecurity funding at or above 2016-17 levels in real terms and greater transparency around where that funding is spent.
ADF also advocated for the reinstatement of the 80pc target for security screening of incoming travellers at the borders.
The full submission is available on the Australian Parliament’s website.

ADF has Senator’s ear, recognition for dairy

The submission has been extensively considered by Senator Linda White, a member of the Senate Standing Committees on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport, who we were pleased to hear from at the IDW breakfast.
We welcomed Senator White’s acknowledgement of dairy’s united voice on biosecurity. Senator White said agricultural commodities with a united voice had a better chance of clearly advocating for their needs.
Importantly, most of the observations and proposals we made in our submission to the inquiry have been addressed in comment and/or recommendation by the committee in its report.

The stakes are high; be ready, alert

In his address Exotic Animal Disease Preparedness Taskforce leader Dr Brant Smith said Australia enjoyed a good reputation globally for managing disease threats but he said vigilance was important.
We were reminded of the control measures that would be implemented in Australia should there be an EAD incursion.
Consideration of the consequences of these measures reinforces the need for adequate preparation.
For example, the first stage of the response for a FMD incursion involves a national livestock standstill.
Milk collection, transporting and processing would continue.
However, farmers would not be able to move livestock off their property. Other restrictions include:
  • Restrict effluent on public roads.
  • Tankers and other vehicles to be washed/disinfected before entering your property and upon exit.
  • You would have to record all vehicle and people movements.
  • Essential visitors only – and they must use a property vehicle.
  • Personnel and visitors would be subject to increased hygiene requirements.
Stage two of the response would include a move to a zoning system. A restricted area, control area and outside area would be established. Movement between zones would be heavily restricted.
Rigorous on-farm biosecurity practices would prove critical in the management of the virus in this stage and, if found wanting, may jeopardise milk being collected.
When you consider the severity of these implications you can see why the dairy industry needs to be prepared and aware, but not alarmed.

Preparedness starts with action on-farm

The biosecurity system is even stronger when farmers take action at home too.
Justin Toohey, who is advising ADF on animal health, welfare and biosecurity, also spoke at the breakfast. Mr Toohey said dairy farmers should consider what they can do to benefit their businesses and biosecurity.
He recommends farmers:
  • Remove livestock from tanker tracks.
  • Separate ‘farm’ and ‘visitor’ personnel and vehicles.
  • Install tree belts between farm and neighbour(s).
  • Re-purpose water carriers/pumps for decontamination.

Essentially, dairy farmers should use the coming months and years to create barriers between their animals and the outside world.

Farmers can take action today. Get started by saving the Australian Government’s EAD Watch Hotline (1800 675 888) into your phone.

Biosecurity, Farming operations, Policy & Advocacy

ADF seeks change to Australia’s biosecurity system

November 1, 2022

By CRAIG HOUGH, STRATEGY & POLICY DIRECTOR, AUSTRALIAN DAIRY FARMERS
Dairy is working alongside partners in the livestock industry and the Australian Government to transform Australia’s biosecurity system.

As globalisation continues to increase the rates of movement of both people and goods into Australia from areas where pests and diseases are more widespread, the risk to our industry is increasing.

Biosecurity affects the profitability and sustainability of our industry. An incursion, of any sort, lowers production, disrupts trade and adversely impacts animal welfare and the mental health of farmers and stakeholders. For example, the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) estimated a widespread FMD outbreak in Australia would have a direct economic impact of around $80 billion.

In August 2022, Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) made a submission to the Senate’s Rural and Regional Affairs’ committee’s Inquiry into the Adequacy of Australia’s biosecurity measures and response preparedness, in particular with respect to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

Our submission endorses, and builds on, the Australian Government’s National Biosecurity Strategy, which provides a 10-year roadmap for significant change to our biosecurity system.

An analysis of various reports from the Inspector General of Biosecurity, the CSIRO, independent reviews and consultation with ADF members and stakeholders informed this submission. For example, the CSIRO report Australia’s Biosecurity Future: Unlocking the next decade of resilience in 2020 found that between 2012 and 2017, the annual number of interceptions of biosecurity risk materials at Australian borders rose by almost 50 per cent. Such an increase in threats requires an increase in capability and efficiency in response.

So, ADF is calling on the Australian Government for additional reforms to the biosecurity system to ensure Australia is fully prepared to respond swiftly to the growing biosecurity threats.

Specifically, our submission calls for everyone to ensure exotic animal diseases do not enter Australia. We call for reforms to governance, funding, disease categorisation, surveillance and detection, diagnostics and vaccine development and a review of compliance measures.

The key recommendations in our submission include:

  • Consolidation of the separate governance models into one biosecurity governance model for animals and one for plants
  • More specific details on what actions and outcomes biosecurity funding is being directed towards to improve funding transparency
  • A commitment from Government for ongoing funding at or above 2016-17 levels in real terms, and to work with industry to explore establishing a dedicated industry biosecurity levy
  • Reinstatement of the 80 per cent screening target at the borders
  • A review of biosecurity infringements and penalties issued over the past decade to determine whether enforcement has been adequate
  • Transforming the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness into a centre of excellence for vaccine and diagnostics capability for livestock diseases to enhance our ability to develop better vaccines and biosecurity tools
  • Amending the Biosecurity Act 2015 to drive continuous improvement in the system.

    • An explanation of the rationale of these reforms can be found in the ADF submission. A final report from the Senate committee is due to be tabled in the Senate on 24 November 2022.

    As we know, there are no silver bullets for biosecurity. Biosecurity is everyone’s business – it is a shared responsibility. We need adequate measures in place to protect Australia’s agricultural industry from any threats of pests and disease, and this involves working together to protect our farms, livelihoods and natural environment.
    —–
    ADF’s submission can be viewed at: www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Rural_and_Regional_Affairs_and_Transport/FMDBiosecurity/Submissions
    For more about the National Biosecurity Strategy:
    www.biosecurity.gov.au/about/national-biosecurity-committee/nbs

    Animal Health, Biosecurity, Farming operations

    Policy shifts on live viruses importation

    May 15, 2022

    By DAVID INALL, ADF CEO

    Lumpy skin disease (LSD) virus, identified in March in Indonesia – and Singapore shortly thereafter – is posing a threat to Australian livestock. The proximity of these nations to Australia means the disease could be transferred to Australian cattle or buffalo via windborne biting insects. Currently, the virus is only around 3,000 kilometres from Australia. Once introduced, the virus is very hard to eradicate.

    Australia has restricted the importation of certain live viruses for laboratory purposes, primarily to reduce the possibility for such diseases to escape and spread. However, an exception is being made so that CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, can begin developing vaccines for lumpy skin disease.

    Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) supports the development of safe, effective vaccines for lumpy skin disease virus, in acknowledgement of the significant risk this disease poses to the industry.

    The virus does not affect humans – but has serious implications for animal health. It causes emaciation, damage to hides, a decrease in milk production, fever, reproductive losses and can ultimately be fatal. This can lead to major disruptions to livestock trade and dairy supply. There would also be trade implications for Australian exports if Australia was to suffer a lumpy skin disease detection.

    The disease, identifiable by nodules on animal skin, is usually spread by flies, mosquitoes, and ticks. Infected animals can also contaminate products and equipment.

    The federal government is working with its counterparts in Indonesia to stem the outbreak and prevent the disease from making its way to Australia. Current prevention efforts are extensive, with strict import regulations and conditions to prevent the disease entering via traveller, cargo and mail pathways. However, the risk of spreading via insects crossing the ocean is Australia’s primary concern.

    Without local research, Australia would have to rely on sending samples overseas for diagnosis and, if confirmed, importing vaccines. These can be of inferior quality to Australian standards and obtaining adequate quantities could be a challenge. With Australia undertaking development, vaccine supply will not be an issue for Australian farmers. Once developed, the vaccine will also be shared with neighbouring nations.

    Livestock industries as well as the Australian Governmentsupport importation of the live virus. Internal policies have been amended to ensure safety and security. This approach is being echoed across other parts of the industry.

    A taskforce has been set up by Agriculture Minister David Littleproud. The group, led by Dr Chris Parker – former chief executive of the Australian Pests and Veterinary Medicines Authority – will coordinate the federal government’s newly-announced $61 million commitment to boosting northern frontline biosecurity.

    Vaccine development within Australia is crucial to preventing major outbreaks and eventually eradicating the disease, if possible. Most vaccines currently available from overseas have shown capacity to cross with wild strains of the virus, producing virulent variants that transmit more rapidly.

    With such a significant exotic disease on Australia’s doorstep, we must remain vigilant, and farmers are always urged to contact their local veterinarian if they see any signs in their herd, In the case of LSD, after an initial period of high fever (41°C) and swollen lymph glands, the animal may develop large, firm nodules that are up to 5 cm in diameter in the skin..

    An important element of the industry’s response has seen ADF partnering with the Red Meat Advisory Council (RMAC) to form a high-level cross-industry taskforce to ensure coordination and collaboration across all affected industry sectors. The taskforce is comprised of senior representatives of RMAC, ADF, the National Farmers’ Federation, and the relevant industry service providers.

     

    The taskforce’s membership ensures we can seek the requisite skills to undertake appropriate action and establish technical committees as determined by the taskforce to ensure the broader agriculture sector can monitor, manage and work with government to reduce the likelihood and potential impact of any incursion.

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