It has been estimated that a major outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease would cost Australia more than $52 billion over 10 years.
Put simply, the consequences would be devastating for our nation and here in Queensland the impact would be enormous.
The livestock industry would be hardest hit of course, with the prospect of mass destruction of animals and an export ban on all meat products.
Livelihoods would be lost and Australia’s reputation as a safe supplier of quality food products would be laid to waste.
Australia is fortunate to be free of FMD, and the Palaszczuk Government is determined to keep it that way.
That is why today I am announcing a major campaign to raise public awareness of the threat and the action producers can take to prevent an outbreak as a key component of a $2.5 million biosecurity preparedness program.
Strengthening biosecurity prevention and preparedness is a top priority for the government and should be the prime concern of everyone who owns or works with livestock.
The centrepiece of the campaign is a free online awareness course available to anyone working in the livestock sector, or with an interest in FMD.
We are also distributing a range of printed materials, including guides, brochures and fact sheets, designed specifically for livestock producers, retail food outlets and livestock supply chain industries.
There are specific materials for piggeries and regional food outlets about the imperative not to feed swill to pigs.
These materials have also been translated into Vietnamese and Chinese.
A series of short videos has also been produced and we are encouraging producers and industry groups to use these videos at events, and to share them online and through social media to achieve the greatest possible reach.
To watch the videos go to www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au/FMD
I am sure that producers and those who live and work in rural communities understand that we can never drop our guard when it comes to FMD.
Even though there has not been an outbreak in Australia for nearly 140 years and there are well established plans in place should an outbreak occur, there is no room for complacancy.
Our proximity to Asia and the ever increasing movement of people and products between nations has intensified the risk of introduction from infected countries to Australia.
And Queensland is very much on the front-line.
That is why it is essential to keep illegally imported food products out and why our border protection officers are so vigilant.
The importation of contaminated foods, in particular salted or cured meats, is considered to be the most likely means of the disease reaching our shores.
Foot-and-mouth disease is a serious and highly contagious viral disease which affects cloven-hoofed animals.
This includes cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, deer, camels, llamas and alpacas.
Horses are not at risk.
If you can support the FMD campaign by distributing any of the campaign materials please contact the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries on 13 25 23.
Together we can work to keep Queensland and Australia FMD free.
- Hon Leanne Donaldson, Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries