The federal government has invoked new biosecurity powers at Australian airports as foot-and-mouth disease spreads through Indonesia.
Biosecurity response zones will be established at international airports, and in the coming days all travelers returning from Indonesia will be required to use floor mats or take other biosecurity instructions.
Currently, individual passengers who are considered a risk must be asked, and must agree, to use foot mats and clean their shoes.
There will be new requirements for travelers returning from Indonesia. (ABC News: Lucas Hill)
The new measures will make this process mandatory on a three-month trial, but will only apply to travelers returning from Indonesia.
It is the first time the rules have been used since the Biosafety Act 2015 was introduced.
Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said the changes were the latest in the strongest biosecurity response in Australia’s history.
“We have already announced a $14 million assistance package to reduce the risk of Bali FMD spreading to Australia, which included increased detection and protection here in Australia and one million vaccines for the cattle industry Indonesia,” said Senator Watt.
“I also announced the deployment of disinfection mats at all international airports as an additional layer of protection for travelers returning from Indonesia.
“These carpets have started arriving today at some airports around the country and passengers will start seeing them at customs in the coming days.”
There have been calls from some members of the federal opposition, including former Agriculture Minister David Littleproud, to consider closing the border with Indonesia.
At a joint press conference, Senator Watt and National Farmers Federation president Fiona Simson rejected the idea.
“Our members do not support the closing of borders,” Ms Simson said.
“It would put at risk a trade that is very valuable.”
President of the National Farmers Federation Fiona Simson. (Photo credit: Fiona Simson)
Foot-and-mouth disease has long been present in countries beyond Indonesia, but the proposed measures reflect greater concern about the spread of the disease in such a close neighbor.
Australia remains FMD-free, despite detections of viral fragments in meat products this week in Melbourne and Adelaide.
Ms Simson, who traveled to Indonesia with Senator Watt last week to inspect biosecurity and market arrangements, said it was imperative that the live virus did not enter the local livestock industry.
A biosecurity sign at the recent Katherine Show in NT. (ABC News)
“If even one case were to emerge in Australia, farmers would face heartbreaking decisions about culling, culling and euthanizing livestock to stop the spread of the disease,” he said.
“It would shut down the export markets immediately, so our meat, our wool, our cheese, our dairy products would all stop immediately.
“We cannot allow this to happen.”
Amid an increasingly politicized debate, Senator Watt called for calm and said Australia’s reputation as a clean agricultural producer remained intact.
“Australian meat products are safe to eat. We continue to enjoy the cleanest and safest meat and dairy products in the world,” he said.