Senate Inquiry called into Federal Government’s FMD response

A Senator has called for a committee to assess whether the Federal Government has gone far enough in its response to major biosecurity threats.

A Senate committee will examine the Federal Government’s handling of the looming threat of foot and mouth disease and an incursion of varroa mite – major biosecurity concerns that threaten to derail billions of dollars worth of Australian agricultural production.

The Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee will report on the adequacy of the Federal Government’s biosecurity measures and response preparedness by October 10.

The inquiry was spearheaded by Labor Senator Raff Ciccone, who said a review was needed to end any uncertainty about the biosecurity response underway to stop foot and mouth disease landing on Australian shores.

“The current debate on foot and mouth disease has undermined the confidence consumers have in our beef. This inquiry provides an opportunity to review the adequacy of Australia’s biosecurity measures while the Albanese Government continues to carry out the strongest biosecurity response in Australia’s history,” he said.

The Federal Government’s approach to protecting Australian farmers from the highly infectious disease has become increasingly politicised. On Thursday, NSW Farmers chair Ian McColl warned the “cheap politicking” was counter-productive and stoking fear, and called for unity.

Agriculture Minister Murray Watt last week ramped up efforts at international airports by establishing biosecurity response zones that give biosecurity officers the power to direct passengers to use acidic disinfectant mats.

The mats, or foot baths, were introduced earlier this month to reduce the risk of the disease being carried in on the footwear of travellers returning from Indonesia.

The virus can be spread by live animals as well as in meat and dairy products, soil, bones, untreated hides, vehicles and equipment used with these animals. It can be carried on clothing and footwear and survive in frozen, chilled and freeze-dried foods.

The additional biosecurity measures were introduced following the detection of viral fragments of the disease found in pork products in Melbourne that had originated from China.

The Federal Government has also supplied one million vaccines to Indonesia to inoculate cattle in Bali, as well as financial support and advice from technical experts.

Despite the flurry of biosecurity efforts introduced in recent weeks, there has been criticism from the Coalition about the pace of the government’s response to the outbreak of the disease in Indonesia, and the lengths it has gone to in Australia to keep it out.

Nationals leader David Littleproud said the introduction of disinfectant foot baths for incoming passengers from Indonesia was weeks overdue, and he has pleaded for the introduction of 3D X-Ray scanners at international airports across the country.

“Labor is failing this basic test on biosecurity and it’s time to toughen up and take control,” Mr Littleproud said.

Calls have been mounting to temporarily shut the border to Indonesia, including from Shadow Home Affairs spokeswoman Karen Andrews and New England MP Barnaby Joyce.

Meanwhile, farmers staged a protest in Colac on Wednesday calling for FMD travel restrictions.

But the National Farmers’ Federation has supported the Federal Government’s position to keep the border open.

NFF President Fiona Simson said calls to shut the border did not have the support of its members.

Indonesia’s foot and mouth disease outbreak was first reported in May. The rapid spread of the disease, including within Bali, has increased its risk of arrival in Australia.

Meanwhile, following a detection of varroa mite in a sentinel bee hive at the Port of Newcastle on June 22, 42 infections have been detected in NSW.

The disease is described as the most serious global threat to honey bees, and its incursion on Australian soil could derail the nation’s billion-dollar almond industry, which relies on honey bees for pollination.

A varroa mite emergency response has been enacted, which has enforced a ban on the movement of bee hives near known infection sites. Managed bee hives are also banned from moving interstate.