NEW portable sample testing and mobile incident centres are among a suite of work that the Victorian Government is delivering to bolster the state’s response to any emergency animal disease outbreak.
The Labor Government says it will deliver a $10 million package which builds on Victoria’s preparedness to ensure there would be a swift response if there is a local detection of animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease or lumpy skin disease.
The support will be tailored to industry and community, with the development of a campaign to help stop foot and mouth disease already under way.
If an outbreak occurs, a portable testing lab will be deployed to outbreak locations to allow real-time on-site sample testing.
The funding will also ensure farmers are equipped with resources if there is a detection and enable them to liaise with Agriculture Victoria as quickly as possible should there need to be the implementation of a livestock standstill.
The government is set to establish Mobile Incident Command Centres, and roll-out IT system upgrades to easily track outbreaks and co-ordinate online permits for livestock movements.
Specialist training in emergency animal diseases, outbreak management and recovery arrangements will also be rolled out to identified government agency staff and industry.
An additional 49 dedicated emergency animal disease staff are also being recruited to advance response measures already under way.
The funding builds on Victoria’s extensive emergency animal disease preparedness efforts and will support the work of the Emergency Animal Disease Taskforce established last month.
Agriculture Minister Gayle Tierney said the livestock industries were extremely valuable.
“We must have the infrastructure and people in place in case of an emergency animal disease outbreak — investing now means we will be prepared to respond swiftly and protect our livestock, farmers and biosecurity system,” Ms Tierney said.
“We will continue engaging with industry, farmers and communities, to ensure they are prepared if an outbreak were to occur.”
Agriculture Victoria chief veterinary officer Dr Graeme Cooke said foot-and-mouth disease and lumpy skin disease are major threats to Victoria’s agriculture.
“That is why we are investing in a range of capabilities should Victoria ever need to deal with these challenging diseases,” he said.
The Victorian Farmers Federation welcomed the additional support and resources to help prepare Victoria against the threat of foot and mouth and lumpy skin diseases.
VFF president Emma Germano said the commitment was important to protect farms in the event of a biosecurity incursion.
“Thankfully, Australia remains free from foot and mouth and lumpy skin disease, but if these diseases were to penetrate our borders, we would need to get on top of them as quickly as possible,” Ms Germano said
“Although the threat of foot and mouth and lumpy skin has brought biosecurity into the public spotlight at this moment in time, farmers know we must be vigilant all the time,” she said.
“Action must be taken to provide certainty to Victoria’s biosecurity system through long-term sustainable funding arrangements.
“We expect that in the context of state election being held in November, combined with the overwhelming threats facing our industry right now, we will see some solid commitments put on the table to help boost Victoria’s biosecurity system.”
