The recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Indonesia and Bali has caused great concern for threat it could pose to our livestock industry.

The risk of an FMD outbreak in Australia in the next five years has increased from 9% to 12% following the Bali outbreak.

The greatest risk comes from the illegal importation of contaminated foods fed to pigs, however international travellers who have visited rural areas present a real FMD risk.

Dairy Tasmania, TGFA and Biosecurity Tasmania teamed up for an information session attended by over 40 local dairy farmers and industry representatives at the Deloraine Football Club.

Guest speaker, veterinarian Dr Steph Bullen, Dairy Australia, spoke of the early signs of FMD in dairy cattle and other affected animals (e.g. pigs, sheep, llamas, alpacas), and encouraged farmers and farm workers to review their biosecurity practices and continue tagging to allow tracking of stock movements around the country.

FMD is a highly contagious virus, easily spread between animals and across properties by livestock, farm workers, contaminated vehicles and visitors.

Members of the public should read and follow Biosecurity warning signs at the entrance to rural properties.

There are many biosecurity processes already in place because of the presence in FMD in many neighbouring countries.

Following the Bali outbreak, Biosecurity Tasmania has enhanced or introduced new strategies to prevent FMD entering Australia or spreading across borders.

Dr Fiona Pearson, Biosecurity Tasmania, explained how a confirmed case of FMD could lead to the medium term collapse of the industry.

Overseas experience shows that FMD has serious economic and social implications, which would severely impact the Tasmanian industry which exports more than 70% of livestock products.