Royal Queensland Show is a goer despite virus worry
Increased biosecurity measures have been put in place at Brisbane’s Ekka as thousands of livestock from around Queensland begin arriving for the agricultural show.
Increased biosecurity measures have been put in place at Brisbane’s Ekka as thousands of livestock from around Queensland begin arriving for the agricultural show amid concerns about the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Indonesia.
Preparations and judging for the Ekka, dubbed “the place where the country meets the city”, are in full-swing, and the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland showgrounds in Bowen Hills have become a makeshift home to thousands of farmers and their prized animals.
After a two-year hiatus brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, organisers have turned their attention this year to another virus that threatened the running of the annual agricultural showcase – officially called the Royal Queensland Show.
Alongside the 4100 cubic metres of sawdust and sand being brought in to be used as animal bedding will be the notable addition of foot sanitising stations in livestock areas.
The show attracts about 400,000 visitors a year and while the threat of disease and concerns about an unwitting traveller fresh off a plane from Indonesia walking through the showgrounds has scared some would-be entrants away, the RNA implemented extra biosecurity measures to keep livestock safe and help ease fears.
RNA chief executive Brendan Christou said show organisers had a comprehensive biosecurity plan in place. “Biosecurity Queensland have advised the risk of FMD is very low and reiterated the virus is not present in Australia; Australia is free of FMD,” Mr Christou said.
“Biosecurity Queensland has advised the RNA that with our biosecurity measures in place, livestock events at this year’s Ekka can be held successfully and there is no reason why the show in its current format and program of events should not go ahead.
“Biosecurity has been an integral part of the Ekka from the first show in 1876.
“It is a major part of our pre-planning across all aspects of the show each year.”
As a condition of entry, exhibitors must increase monitoring of livestock health prior to bringing animals on to the grounds. Extra signage will also be in place to raise awareness about the importance of biosecurity.
That’s on top of the foot sanitation stations at the large animal pavilion, dairy pavilion, stock pavilion and animal nursery.
Despite the concerns, 1300 stud beef cattle from around the country have been brought to the showgrounds and judging for some categories, including biggest beef cattle, began on Sunday.
Queensland Agriculture Minister Mark Furner said robust biosecurity plans meant the Ekka could proceed as normal.
“Preparedness is key to protecting Queensland and Australia’s livestock industries from foot and mouth disease, but it is important to note that we remain free of this disease and that the risk of the disease spreading because of the Ekka is considered low,” Mr Furner said.
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