Australia’s US$22 billion livestock industry under threat as foot and mouth disease found in imported meat
- Viral fragments were found in a sample of pork floss sold in Melbourne, and traces of African swine fever were also detected in the specimen
- Australia and New Zealand have boosted measures to prevent a widespread outbreak of the disease which was recently found in tourist hotspot Bali
Viral fragments were found in a sample of pork floss offered for sale in Melbourne, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry said on Wednesday. Traces of African swine fever were also detected in the sample.
While the test does not indicate live virus, officers have seized the product from all linked supermarkets and a warehouse in Melbourne. Both diseases do not pose a threat to human health, the department said in a statement.
Foot and mouth is a highly contagious disease that affects cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. It is characterised by fever and blister-like sores on the tongue and lips, in the mouth, on the teats and between the hooves.
The disease poses a serious threat to Australia’s A$32 billion (US$22 billion) livestock industry. A widespread outbreak could have an estimated direct economic impact of A$80 billion. A vaccine is available if there is an incursion.
A number of other pork products for retail sale around Australia have also tested positive for African swine fever viral fragments. Officers are securing the products and undertaking investigations, the department said.
The Australian reported that the products found with traces of both diseases were imported from China, citing Agriculture Minister Murray Watt. This shows the risk of incursion is not only linked to Indonesian goods and could come from other places, the Australian Meat Industry Council said in a statement.
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African swine fever is a fatal disease that has devastating effects on pig populations. There is no effective vaccine against it. The disease caused a dramatic outbreak in China in 2018, wiping out roughly half the nation’s herd of more than 400 million pigs within a year. It has recovered since then.
“With FMD recently found in the tourist hotspot of Bali, we’ve taken concrete steps to boost our work at the border in recent weeks including a public awareness campaign,” said Biosecurity and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor.
“I call on everyone to be vigilant in playing their part to protect New Zealand’s economic security,” he said.
Biosecurity New Zealand this week introduced foot mats with disinfecting chemicals for arrivals from Indonesia to ensure footwear is clear of the virus. A campaign has been launched to educate travellers going to Bali of the issues.
There is an on-the-ground audit happening of the supply chain for animal feed palm kernel. And New Zealand is providing equipment to Indonesia to help contain the virus there.
Additional reporting by Reuters
