Agricultural
9 August, 2022
Spreading the word about FMD and LSD
Australia is currently free of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), and our priority is to keep it that way.
However, with the recent detection of FMD and LSD in Indonesia, it’s important the whole community plays their part in keeping Australia’s world-leading red meat and livestock industry safe.
The MLA is on deck at the Brisbane Ekka to educate the broader community about the Australian red meat industry and will be spreading the word about FMD and LSD. The Ekka is one of many MLA events and initiatives being leveraged to raise awareness of these diseases, as well as how we can all help protect our industry.
As producers, here’s what we can all do to help educate the community on these diseases and how to help stop them from entering Australia:
1. Spread these three travel tips
If you have friends or family travelling overseas, give them a friendly reminder to:
Clean any shoes, clothing and equipment that have been overseas before they send them or bring them back to Australia
Remove any meat or dairy products from their baggage before returning to Australia – and declare any risk goods to a biosecurity officer for inspection on arrival in Australia or put it in a bin
Declare if you have visited a rural area or been in contact with, or near, farm animals overseas as soon as you arrive back in Australia.
2. Increase awareness about imports
By law, the importation of some products into Australia is subject to certain biosecurity import conditions designed to keep Australia safe from unwanted pests and diseases.
Remind friends and family overseas to check the current biosecurity import conditions before sending goods to Australia, and ask them not to send any meat or dairy products to you or other people they know in Australia.
For family and friends living in Australia, spread the word that they should not buy meat or dairy products online from overseas sellers.
Heading to the Ekka?
MLA, via its Australian Good Meat brand, is at the Brisbane Ekka until 14 August to educate the community about the red meat industry, including what they can do to help stop the spread of FMD and LSD.
Visit the stall at the Agriculture Hall for more information and resources on FMD and LSD.
