Page 6 - Australian Pork Newspaper

Ramped up biosecurity measures
as illegal pork imports increase
n Education needed on swill feeding
THE pork industry has called on pig farmers to boost their biosecu- rity measures after Af- rican swine fever and foot and mouth disease virus fragments were again detected in pork products seized at Aus- tralia's international mail centres.
falo, pigs, cattle, sheep, deer, camels and goats.
David Littleproud said FMD could spread rap- idly.
Hutchinson said both farmers and the general community needed more education about swill feeding – feeding food scraps that have been in contact with meat to pigs.
FMD is a highly conta- gious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals including buf-
An outbreak of African swine fever could cost Australia $1.5 to $2 bil- lion over five years.
“While these results do not confirm live infec- tious virus is present, it is a reminder that we need everyone to be more vigilant,” Minister Littleproud said.
“That is a requirement of the regulators and the department of agricul- ture in each state,” Mr Hutchison said.
Studies have estimated a large multi-state out- break of foot and mouth disease in Australia could result in economic losses of $50 billion over 10 years.
Cattle were most sus- ceptible, though pigs transmitted the disease fastest.
Minister for Agri- culture, Drought and Emergency Management
“It is more important than ever that people do the right thing and don’t bring, mail or import illegal pork or animal products into Australia.
“The power that could provide cannot be under- estimated.”
FARMERS and FEED MILLERS
SFMCA FeedSafe Accredited
FOR ALL YOUR REQUIREMENTS OF:
Soya beans used in our meals are NOT genetically modified!
CONTACT:
SOYA FEEDSPTY LTD
Bennie St, Industrial Estate, Dalby
Ph (07) 4662 4333
A/Hrs (07) 4663 5534
We use whole soya beans not gradings to supply you with a quality meal
“Proudly, we've al- ready cancelled 14 visas of people who failed to declare at our airports.
It doesn’t matter if someone owned one pig or100–thethreatofa biosecurity breach was equally serious.
Officers seize raw and cooked pork products at Sydney Airport. (Source: Australian Border Force)
Meat industry leaders are urging pig farmers not to feed their animals meat-con- taminated produce, due to biosecurity risks. (ABC Rural: Tom Edwards)
“Their visas have been cancelled for three years, and we've also lifted the penalties from $444 on the spot, to $2,664.
“People need to recog- nise that they're part of a total supply chain, be- cause bigger operations have had issues just as much as smaller opera- tions have and it affects everyone, regardless of size,” Mr Hutchison said.
“For large importers, it's over $1 million and the potential of 10 years jail.
“I worked in the agri- culture industry in Ire- land 20 years ago when FMD actually broke out, and I can tell you that it shut down the community in Ireland the very same way that COVID-19 has.
“These findings high- light the need for Aus- tralia’s livestock indus- tries to maintain high biosecurity standards.
“Practices such as il- legal swill feeding have the potential to bring these diseases into their farms.”
“It's not just an issue that impacts the rural industry, it actually im- pacts the entire commu- nity.”
Australian Meat In- dustry Council’s Patrick
Page 6 – Australian Pork Newspaper, May 2021
www.porknews.com.au