Click here to view this email in your browser.

Biosecurity update - 9 November 2022 

A National LSD Action Plan, released on 13 October 2022, has been developed in partnership between the Australian government, state and territory governments, industry and other groups, which will support Australia’s cattle and buffalo industries and effectively manage the risk of LSD.  This includes a trade preparedness strategy to mitigate potential market access losses. 

The Australian Government committed $14 million in immediate funding to bolster Australia’s frontline defence and provided technical support for countries currently battling LSD and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
 

The package contained $9 million for frontline biosecurity and industry preparedness measures to protect Australia against the risks posed by FMD and LSD. This included:

• 18 new biosecurity officers in airports and mail centres

• targeted diagnostic and surveillance activities

• the establishment of a North Australian Coordination Network to bring together Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia governments in partnership with key industries and local communities to improve Australia’s surveillance and preparedness coordination in the north.

There will be a lead government coordinator employed by the Northern Territory Government and a lead industry coordinator employed by the NT Cattlemen’s Association.
 

The NT Government announced an immediate $2.9 million biosecurity boost, to prepare the Territory’s agribusiness industries to respond to increasing biosecurity threats which would have devastating consequences for our agricultural sector and regional economies. 
 

The NT Government’s investment will deliver an important boost for industry training and preparedness programs, new biosecurity systems to link with national reporting systems, building plant biosecurity capacity to prepare for and manage incursions, emergency response planning and exercising.
 

The Australian Government has provided Indonesia with LSD vaccines, as well as technical support. To date, 435,000 LSD vaccine doses have been distributed to combat the outbreak in Sumatra. 
 

Border requirements are in place for incoming air and sea passengers, imported cargo and mail items to ensure the biosecurity risks are managed at the border. Returning livestock vessels are also managed by biosecurity officers. Controls are reviewed when the level of risk changes.
 

The Australian Government provided $550,000 to Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) for the Indonesia Biosecurity Support Project, which will enhance biosecurity capacity in Indonesia’s commercial feedlot sector to curb the spread of FMD and LSD.
 

A $10 million cooperation package is being delivered to assist Indonesia. This package includes $4.4 million for the purchase of both FMD and LSD vaccines; will provide biosecurity expertise and other technical assistance to the Ministry of Agriculture; and support development of a national livestock identification system for Indonesia.
 

In May 2022, an outbreak of FMD was reported in cattle in Indonesia. Cases were first detected in April, and in July 2022 the disease was reported in Bali. As of 25 October, the disease has been detected in 26 of Indonesia’s 37 provinces.
 

Due to the emergence and rapid spread of FMD in Indonesia, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has changed its risk profile and strengthened biosecurity requirements for imported goods, and incoming passengers and mail.
 

Australia is providing support to Indonesia to combat the FMD outbreak. This assistance includes supplying vaccines, providing technical expertise, and capacity building support. 
 

Australia has provided one million doses of FMD vaccine to Indonesia and will donate a further 3 million in October 2022. 

Find out more about biosecurity alerts in the Territory Biosecurity | NT.GOV.AU

Industry.nt.gov.au

Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade Northern Territory Government

Biosecurity NT, Berrimah Farm, Darwin, Northern Territory 

To unsubscribe or update your preferences click here.

Refer others to this newsletter by sending them our subscription link.