The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) has partnered with the Livestock Industry Taskforce (LIV) to promote mining industry best practice to prevent the incursion of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Australia.
MCA and LIV will focus on high-risk members of the mining workforce who are travelling to Indonesia, or any other country affected by FMD, and are attending work sites that overlap or interact with livestock areas in Australia.
MCA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Tania Constable, said, “The mining industry sees it as critical that the key government advice to returning travellers is understood and followed, and has been liaising with members to ensure FMD doesn’t threaten the livestock industry.
“This includes that all equipment, clothing and footwear must [be] checked, disinfected and thoroughly cleaned before travel to Australia and again before travel to regional areas across Australia.”
While foot-and-mouth disease is endemic in many countries, Australia remains free and the recent outbreak in Indonesia reinforces how vigilant we all must be.
Red Meat Advisory Council CEO, Alastair James, said an incursion of foot-and-mouth disease would have a devastating impact on Australia’s meat and livestock industries.
“The impact on the broader economy would be significant, with estimates by ABARES that a FMD incursion would have a direct economic impact of around $80 billion,” Mr James said.
