The Australian Government will provide $1.5 million to support Indonesia’s response to the recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
The funding will provide at least 1 million FMD doses for Indonesia’s vaccination program, following a formal request for assistance from the Indonesian Government.
The Federal Government has also announced it will spend an extra $14 million bolstering its defence against a disease that threatens to wipe out the country’s farm and tourism sectors.
A coordinator for disease control in northern Australia will also be established.
Indonesia’s vaccination program is focused on support for the small-holder farming sector, which makes up around 90 per cent of Indonesia’s cattle industry.
This support is in addition to Australia’s existing commitment of 435,000 Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) vaccine doses that are currently being distributed to affected Indonesia provinces.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt discussed Australia’s support with Indonesian Minister for Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo in Jakarta on Thursday.
Minister Watt also met with Indonesian National Disaster Management Authority head and Chief of the Indonesian Task Force for Foot and Mouth Disease, Lieutenant General Suharyanto.
The Australian Government has also committed an initial $500,000 to Meat and Livestock Australia, responsible for coordinating support from Australian industry for the Indonesian feedlot sector’s emergency response to these diseases.
“Safeguarding the biosecurity of our region is a shared concern for Australia and Indonesia – this was something confirmed during the recent Indonesia-Australia Annual Leaders’ Meeting,” Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong said.
“The provision of 1 million vaccine doses to combat Foot and Mouth disease underscores Australia’s commitment to supporting Indonesia’s response to the outbreak.”
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Murray Watt, said that during his meeting with Lieutenant General Suharyanto an offer was made to share Australian expertise on emergency disease management and biosecurity.
“The Albanese Government is taking a two-pronged approach to preventing the incursion of Foot and Mouth disease, first by strengthening biosecurity measures at the Australian border, and also by supporting efforts to curb the spread overseas.”
Source: Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
To date there is no strengthening of border contact our airports with nobody coming forward off flights from Bali etc to have footwear etc cleaned or even checked. This industry needs to step up and take control of this as this current government is doing nothing at the gates of entry. We need to pull together and take this fight to our political masters. Covid is nothing compared to what might come from FMD entry to our shores.