Page 4 - Australian Pork Newspaper

A worldwide exercise in biosecurity
BY the time this edition of APN goes to print, I am fairly sure most of Australia will be in some form of quarantine in re- sponse to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ing as usual.
The campaigns highlight
lation and not only the agricultural community.
The message was clear to them, and to all travel- lers – do not bring pork products into Denmark.
sibly unable to stay in the country.
Nordic
News
by ASHLEY NORVAL
In Denmark, we have been in lockdown for three weeks, which was extended to five weeks given the current condi- tions – already an exten- sion from the original plan of a two-week na- tionwide quarantine.
Given Denmark’s three- week quarantine, it is be- coming the new normal for Danes to be restricted in their movement and aware of how they could be spreading the disease unwittingly.
The importance of good biosecurity resulting in disease preparedness has commenced on Danish pig farms.
With COVID-19 on the scene, and staff forced into quarantine therefore unable to work due to the lockdown, this message intensified.
This appears simple to those of us in the agricul- tural industry, but some- how the message is lost when consumers have no basic understanding of the agricultural supply chain.
the importance of buy- ing Danish produce and increase understanding of the high standards Danish farmers must meet.
In the background of this pandemic, however, other threats with serious consequences continue to bubble away, such as Afri- can swine fever.
Unfortunately, due to the Schengen Agreement it is impossible to enforce this rule at the border, which means a reliance on un- derstanding how impor- tant and real the threat is.
The significance is be- ginning to hit home for general consumers – we need people to work on farms to produce food for the population and equal- ly we need to keep disease out of the country, which is something they can help with.
Overnight the schools closed, the public sector was told to stay home and the private sector instruct- ed to have their staff work from home wherever pos- sible, with heavy restric- tions placed on workplace ‘stocking density’.
Police hand out hefty fines to anyone breaking the restrictions, including those considered too close to each other in public spaces.
Though panic buying did not hit Denmark quite as hard as Australia, over recent weeks media cam- paigns have been reassur- ing consumers that Dan- ish agriculture is operat-
This presents a unique opportunity to not only educate consumers to buy local, but to promote how important disease control is for agriculture.
This messaging was amplified specifically to non-Danish employees who could potentially travel from their home- town in Eastern Europe with pork products.
If ASF were to hit Den- mark, it would not only cripple the industry but al- so the national economy, and the decision taken out of the hands of individual businesses as to how they respond.
These are challenging and uncertain times for many around the world.
Within two days of those limitations all restaurants,
One positive the pan- demic is bringing to light is the importance of ag- riculture and food supply stability.
Suddenly a real-life, se- rious viral threat is im- peding the general popu-
Many employees would be out of a job and pos-
If nothing else, I sin- cerely hope people start to realise the importance of food security and support- ing their local farmers.
cafes, bars and eateries were takeaway only.
Unlike Australia, Den- mark does not produce all its own food, and is reliant on importing many prod- ucts – not including pork, of course.
The concept of bio- security is in the forefront of everyone’s mind.
The past year has seen a significant increase in messaging directed to the public and pig production employees regarding ASF, from both SEGES and in- dividual businesses.
COVID-19 update for producers
AUSTRALIAN Pork Limited has devel- oped a general guid- ance document for pig producers to assist in planning for and mitigating risks posed by COVID-19 to their employees, business, animal welfare and supply of pork prod- ucts to the commu- nity.
introduction and spread- ing, protocols if an em- ployee is confirmed infected, contingency arrangements and sup- porting staff.
These guidelines are designed as prompts to consider strategies aimed at:
Please note that while care has been taken preparing the guide, it does not constitute le- gal advice.
• Protecting the health and safety of employees, families and broader commu- nity;
Heed any advice and direction given by pub- lic health officials.
• Ensuring the ongo- ing supply of pig meat to Australian consum- ers, thereby supporting food security at this challenging time; and
Be aware that the COVID-19 situation is changing rapidly, and as a result the guide- lines may require revi- sion in light of new developments.
• Facilitate, as far as possible, business con- tinuity – thereby en- suring the welfare of animals is not jeopard- ised and ongoing job security for employees.
For further informa- tion, contact the Na- tional Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The guide includes information on keeping employees informed and engaged, recom- mendations to prevent
If you require trans- lating or interpreting services, call 131 450.
The full document can be found at aus tralianpork.com. au/wp-content/up loads/2020/03/CoV ID-19-and-your-work force.pdf
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Page 4 – Australian Pork Newspaper, April 2020
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