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This article was published on Wednesday, 27 July, 2022. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Travellers asked to be mindful of foot and mouth disease

Foot and mouth disease was detected in May 2022 in cattle in Indonesia and has since spread to Bali, a popular holiday destination for Australians. Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Cr Shane Sali, said the incursion of Foot and Mouth Disease into Australia would be devastating for the livestock industry.

“Agriculture is one of Greater Shepparton’s top five industries for employment and accounts for the greater part of $566 million in output. Foot and Mouth Disease would affect the meat processing, milk and wool industries with cattle, sheep, pigs and goats all impacted,” he said.

“The awful reality of this disease is that milk and meat production, trading and transportation of these products would need to stop and animals would need to be euthanised to control the disease. It would mean incredible hardship for primary producers whose livelihoods would be impacted.”

Cr Sali urged local residents going to Bali for holidays or business to take care on their return. “We can all do our bit if returning from Bali. It’s not worth the huge risk to Australia’s agriculture industry to keep those pair of thongs.”

“The disease can be brought in on footwear and clothing, camping equipment including backpacks, mountain bikes and other sporting equipment where used in rural areas. If you visited markets or zoos you can also pick up the disease on your footwear or clothing.”

“Make sure you disinfect all clothing when you get back and stay away from rural and agricultural areas if you are on holiday in Indonesia,” said Cr Sali. “It can also survive in frozen, chilled and freeze-dried foods, which is why we should never bring food into Australia from overseas.”

“It’s not just the agriculture industry though; it would be all the industries linked to farming that could be impacted if Foot and Mouth Disease makes it way to Australia. Not to mention the impact this would have on supplies of meat and milk to consumers.”

The biggest economic implication of an Australian case would be producers losing access to global export markets, potentially for years, until the disease is contained and eradicated. Biosecurity measures are in place with producers asking those returning from Indonesia to not visit rural or farming properties within seven days of returning to Australia.

More information from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Fact sheets in other languages are available.