Melbourne Royal Show confirm livestock despite FMD threat

Ahead of next month’s event, organisers have confirmed livestock and animal nurseries will be part of this year’s show despite FMD concerns.

LIVESTOCK and animal nurseries will be part of next month’s Melbourne Royal Show despite fears the threat of foot and mouth disease could keep them at home.

Organisers confirmed to The Weekly Times there would be livestock at the event next month when gates open on September 22.

Concerns were raised over the close contact between livestock and show visitors after the outbreak of FMD reached Bali in June with industry leaders worried that returning travellers could spread the disease to valuable livestock.

But organisers have pushed ahead with the inclusion of animals and Melbourne Royal chief executive Brad Jenkins said entry numbers in the livestock sections were “very good”.

“The feedback we are receiving from exhibitors is that they are very much looking forward to this year’s Melbourne Royal Show and, in particular, the opportunity to come together to celebrate excellence in agriculture,” Mr Jenkins said.

“There’s nothing like winning a Melbourne Royal blue ribbon to put smile on the faces of exhibitors.”

Livestock entries and animals nurseries will be part of next month’s Melbourne Royal Show. Picture: ANDY ROGERS

Mr Jenkins said they had no indications of any livestock being withdrawn from the Melbourne Royal Show due to the fear of FMD.

He said the organisation was continuing to follow advice from state and federal government and the Chief Veterinary Officer on how best to protect our livestock at this year’s Melbourne Royal Show.

“If this advice changes over the coming weeks we will act accordingly and advise all stakeholders as required,” he said.

“We are also in communication with our colleagues in other states, such as the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland to consider learnings from their experience from holding the 2022 EKKA (Brisbane show).”

Mr Jenkins did not outline any additional biosecurity measures being considered or implemented but said they had been proactively sharing industry information and resources with exhibitors, as well as providing regular updates on biosecurity planning

“Exhibitor updates will continue as the show approaches to confirm the enhanced procedures in place,” he said.

“There are currently no reported outbreaks of FMD in Australia and advice from industry experts suggested the risk of transmission remains low.

“Our goal remains to keep FMD out of Australia, not the just the show.”

It comes as organisers of AgQuip at Gunnedah announced it would ban attendees from the event, which kicks off this week, who had recently been to Indonesia due to the risk of foot and mouth disease.