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Testing finds FMD fragments in Melbourne CBD pork, as Watt agrees to roll out footbaths

Beef Central, 20/07/2022

Federal Minister for Agriculture Murray Watt flagged further biosecurity measures when he addressed the NSW Farmers conference this week.

FOOT and Mouth Disease fragments have been found in meat products in Melbourne and in an undeclared beef product imported by a passenger travelling from Indonesia where FMD continues to spread in livestock.

The Department of Agriculture has stressed that the detection does not mean there has been an incursion of the disease in Australia, and that there is no ‘live threat from the disease’.

Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt disclosed the FMD viral fragment detections at a press conference this morning, saying it was a reminder of how vigilant Australians needed to be.

He said the FMD virus fragments were found in pork products from China on sale in the Melbourne CBD and other pork products tested positive for African Swine Fever fragments. He said the products from China have been seized from a Melbourne warehouse and several supermarkets.

Following sustained lobbying from the farming sector and some state governments, the Albanese Government also today said it will roll out footbaths at international airports, in another layer of protection against Foot and Mouth Disease transmission (more below).

‘There has not been an incursion’

This afternoon the Department of Agricuture released a follow-up statement reinforcing the point that the discovery of FMD fragments in retail meat products does not mean there has been an incursion in Australia.

Nor is the first time that routine testing has identified viral fragments in seized products. The detections do not change Australia’s foot-and-mouth-diseaese or African Swine Fever status.

Pork floss. Image: DAFF

DAFF said that as part of the Australian Government’s response to the spread of animal diseases in the region, it has increased its surveillance and testing of meat and other animal products, both at the border and through targeted checking of retail outlets.

Some pork products have been removed from supermarket shelves after viral fragments of both foot and mouth disease (FMD) and African swine fever (ASF) were detected during testing.

“This find does not change Australia’s disease-free status for FMD and ASF,” the statement said.

“There is no threat to human health from these diseases.”

It explained that during a recent purchasing and testing campaign of food for sale in supermarkets around Australia, one sample tested positive for FMD and ASF viral fragments– the test does not indicate live virus. This sample was from pork floss offered for sale in Melbourne.

“Pork floss is a processed, dried meat product that can be imported if it meets strict import conditions that mitigate the risk of exotic diseases, including ASF and FMD. The product was processed, but investigations have not found evidence that the treatment was to Australia’s requirements.

“Out of an abundance of caution, officers have seized product from all linked supermarkets and a warehouse in Melbourne.

“If the public have any of this pork floss product, please return them to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry office in your capital city. If you are unsure about a concerning product or would like further information, please contact the department.

“A number of other pork products for retail sale around Australia have tested positive for ASF viral fragments. Officers are in the process of securing products and undertaking investigations. Further information will be provided when these investigations have been completed.

“The department has also been testing meat products seized at the border from travellers and through the mail.

In relation to the previous recent detections of FMD viral fragments in Australia: – 2 products tested FMD viral fragment positive – products seized at an airport – early 2019 – 3 products tested FMD viral fragment positive – products seized at an international mail centre – Sept 2019 – 2 products tested FMD viral fragment positive – products seized at an airport – early 2021. Source: DAFF

“Recently a passenger was intercepted with a beef product. When prompted by a biosecurity officer, the passenger declared a number of items of biosecurity concern at the border and was issued with a warning. The seized beef item tested positive for FMD viral fragments.

“The public, retailers and importers are asked to be vigilant in their purchases, to play their part in protecting Australia from these terrible diseases.

“The government will continue to step up this surveillance activity and will prosecute breaches of biosecurity rules to the full extent of the law. This is across all pathways, not just travellers through airports.

“Pig owners must not feed meat, animal products or imported dairy goods to their pigs. This is called swill feeding and is illegal throughout Australia.”

Foot and mouth disease is considered one of Australia’s greatest biosecurity threats to livestock and an incursion of FMD or ASF would have severe consequences for Australia’s animal health, trade and economy and our regional communities.

Penalties for those who do the wrong thing include imprisonment for up to 10 years or a fine of up to $1,110,000 (or $5,550,000 for corporate entities) or both.

Travellers and people sending and receiving mail are reminded of the need to be aware of what is permitted entry to Australia. This can be checked at this website: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/travelling/bringing-mailing-goods. The department can be contacted on 1800 900 090 or online at https://www.agriculture.gov.au/about/contact/online-enquiry.

Govt steps up on foot mats

The Federal Government recently increased biosecurity measures in recent months in response to the Indonesian FMD and Lumpy Skin Disease outbreaks. This included a $14 million biosecurity package announced on Friday to deliver more frontline defenses in airports and mail centres, along with support on the ground for Indonesia and neighbouring countries.

Minister Watt said Australia’s biosecurity system was already one of the strictest in the world, and mats would add yet another layer of defense on flights from Indonesia.

“I directed my department to look at what could be done around footwear to complement the other measures in place and after careful consideration, we have decided to deploy sanitation foot mats in Australia’s international airports.

Senator Murray Watt addressing agricultural leaders in Canberra today, where meetings to review nationally agreed FMD and LSD response plans are currently underway.

“The fact is, there is no biosecurity silver bullet – our biosecurity controls rely on a multi-layered approach to mitigate the risk of FMD,” Mr Watt said.

“These sanitation mats will be a physical reminder to passengers to do the right thing to limit any spread of FMD, and will be used in conjunction with our current measures, such as passenger declaration, 100 per cent profiling of all passengers entering from Indonesia, real time risk assessments, questioning and shoe cleaning.

“We still encourage Australians to clean their shoes and clothing, and even leave their footwear overseas if they can,” he said.

Following consultation with airports, two styles of mats will be used, with shipping already underway.

The mats will begin to be seen in international terminals this week, starting in Darwin and Cairns. Travellers arriving in Australia from Indonesia will be asked to walk across the mats to sanitise the soles of their shoes.

The mats will contain a citric acid solution, designed to dislodge any dirt from the sole of the shoe and cover it in the acid.

The Federal Government said travellers will still be asked to declare their contact with farms and livestock, and those with visibly contaminated shoes will continue to be taken to the biosecurity area.

Further biosecurity measures will be discussed at today’s Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting – the first joint meeting between federal, state and territory Agriculture Ministers in eight months.

For more information visit https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/pests-diseases-weeds/animal/fmd.

AMIC reiterates calls for calm following FMD fragment announcement in Melbourne

The Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) is again calling for calm after the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Farming announced today that fragments of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) were detected in imported pork products from China in a retail setting in Melbourne’s CBD.

“These findings vindicate AMIC’s assertions that this issue is about targeted management of high-risk areas, being illegally and/or misdescribed food products coming into Australia,” said AMIC CEO Patrick Hutchinson.

“Foot mats are an opportunity to educate, but the risk remains clearly in the areas that the Department has been managing for many years now, with support from AMIC, being at airports and borders.

“The latest detection of FMD in pork products from China being sold in the CBD of Melbourne shows that the risk of incursion is from not only Indonesia but also from other destinations.

“Also, as AMIC previously stated, the finding of illegal food stuffs with a returned traveller from Indonesia is the main risk area, which the government has invested in following advice and upport from organisations such as AMIC.

“These findings are not new. They are part of the surveillance program for biosecurity which is the role of the Australian Federal Government via Border Force and other departments. These have been increased by successive governments, all of which have been supported by AMIC.

“Australia’s biosecurity system must remain vigilant, and all stakeholders must play a part in providing the best possible outcomes, from government, industry and the community,” said Mr Hutchinson.

Australian Livestock Exporters Council statement

ALEC reiterates calls for calm and pragmatic bipartisan discussion following today’s detection of Foot and Mouth Disease fragments during routine testing and screening of imported products and incoming passengers.

It is critically important this detection is reported accurately – live virus was not detected, and Australia maintains its FMD-free status. It is critically important this is clear to our global trading partners.

“We are very fortunate to have one of the best biosecurity systems in the world supported by one of the best, if not the best traceability systems in the world.

“Of course, this routine detection highlights the fact that we do not operate in a risk free environment and that we must continue to invest in our biosecurity systems.

“We welcome Minister Watt’s announcement of additional support measures and ALEC commits to continue working alongside Government to ensure all appropriate measures are in place. We also continue to call on the Government to offer all assistance it can possibly offer to our friends in Indonesia as they continue work on managing outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease and Lumpy Skin Disease.”

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Comments

  1. Don Collins, 21/07/2022

    Checking and foot bathing passengers is great but how about checking foot ware packed in their luggage and disinfecting their luggage (how many bags wheeled/dragged across streets ) . The effects of an outbreak in Australia will be devastating and longer lasting than any COVID outbreak, and far more costly and yet the the new Fed Gov is not treating as serious

  2. David Connellan, 21/07/2022

    Is it just me, or are some social media jockeys cynically using FMD to try to build their own follower numbers?

  3. stephen carpenter, 21/07/2022

    Why are we allowing ANY meat imports from China?

  4. John Coe, 21/07/2022

    Good move and about time. I would also stress the need to constantly reinforce the message to all travellers coming into Australia to sanitise their footware. Moreover, the penalties for travellers bringing in prohibited foodstuffs should be increased drastically.

    • Ruth Jocelyn Doran, 21/07/2022

      And they should be charged for making false statements on their incoming cards, after all they are legal documents.

  5. GARY BULLER, 21/07/2022

    Finally a step in the right direction. The Minister has correctly backflipped on his initial refusal to back foot baths ( foot mats) at International Airports (because children might drown… FGS!!) Why the hell are we allowing imported pork products into Aust., especially from China? Sorry but that is just plain DUMB. As for footwear, it should be a condition of entry into Aust. that all footwear is binned before embarking in Indo/Bali. That would be a very small imposition on travelers when measured against the potential harm one contaminated piece of footwear could cause. We ought to go as hard as we can on these measures AND give massive support to the Balinese farmers whose livelihood has been smashed as well as ongoing veterinary support to bring their FMD and LSD outbreaks under control. Hopefully Minister Watt can now get onto the front foot and show some real leadership.

  6. John Andre, 20/07/2022

    The well overdue footmats are welcome. But we continue to hear reports of travellers declaring but being waved through the airport without footwear or baggage inspection. This indicates an urgent need for monitoring and reporting to government and industry how well biosecurity protocols are actually being implemented.

  7. David Heath, 20/07/2022

    Progress.

  8. Stuart Leahy, 20/07/2022

    I’m perfectly calm as my legal advice is that winning the lawsuit against the Federal Gov for allowing FMD into Australia resulting in collapsing markets, bank foreclosures on rural lenders and replacing destroyed livestock should be adequate compensation. It is the Fed and State Gov that need to panic as it is your backside that will get kicked into oblivion if you don’t keep these diseases out of Australia. Don’t forget some overseas countries would sabotage Australia by weaponising FMD.

  9. John A. Mohr-Bell, 20/07/2022

    And……..now we are going to start trying to stop FMD/LSD coming in. Foot baths and mats a month after it has been in Indonesia. Still no action on controlling wild pigs. If we ever get invaded by foreign forces, they would have taken over the country before we woke up to their presence!!

  10. Greg Densley, 20/07/2022

    Enough with the warnings, any deliberate incursion should result in heavy a penalty. trying to sneak in produce should either have jail time or entry refused on the spot.

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