Producers, stock handlers, private and government vets and animal health policy-makers will receive first-hand insight into dealing with Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) thanks to the Coalition Government’s $491,000 investment for training in Nepal.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, encouraged the many industry groups on the frontline to manage an FMD outbreak to participate in the training.
“A key part of our effectiveness to respond to emergency animal diseases is having trained people across industry who are our eyes and ears on the ground,” Minister Joyce said.
“This training is giving them invaluable experience in Nepal, a country where FMD is endemic. Seeing FMD up close and personal, including the symptoms and warning signs, will help them better understand the disease and what an outbreak could mean for Australia.
“Having more participants undertake this training, run by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, will help strengthen Australia’s ability to manage and respond to an FMD outbreak.
“It is a key measure of the government’s biosecurity surveillance funding in the $4 billion Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper.”
Since September 2013 the Coalition Government has now invested $1.1 million into this program, which is co-funded with industry and state and territory governments. This has enabled 120 people to undergo training in Nepal, spanning across the pork, dairy, sheep, wool and beef industries.
People undertaking this training will be subject to strict biosecurity screening on their return to Australia, as are all people and goods arriving in our country.
“An FMD outbreak would have devastating impacts on our valuable livestock industries, shutting down livestock movements, curtailing exports and savaging our trading reputation,” Minister Joyce said.
“A large outbreak of FMD is estimated to cost Australia more than $50 billion over 10 years.
