By Dominique Tassell
Cr Stephen Tancred presented his fellow Southern Downs councillors with a report from a recent Biosecurity Emergency Animal Disease (ED) Prevention and Preparedness webinar at the recent Ordinary Council Meeting.
He attended the webinar, run by Biosecurity Queensland and Queensland DAFF, on 23 September.
Cr Tancred noted in his report that attended through his role on the saleyards committee and that Cr Cameron Gow attended through his Local Disaster Management Group role.
The webinar covered the three threats of lumpy skin disease (LSD) African swine flu (ASF) and foot and mouth disease (FMD).
“The probability of these individually entering Australia in the next five years is 28 per cent, 13 per cent and 12 per cent respectively,” Cr Tancred stated in the report. “The probability of one of them entering is 43 per cent, so a real threat.”
He wrote that there are no food safety effects or human health effects but huge animal health/productivity effects with flow on economic effects for everyone.
“FMD would cause immediate closure of export markets, $10 billion impact on Queensland industry and $80b impact on Australian economy.”
Cr Tancred wrote that DAFF would be the lead agency in Queensland but would use disaster management principles.
“The issue would be dealt with by national cabinet and communication at a high level eg Premiers, chief health officers.”
Cost sharing arrangements are in place with state and Federal Governments and industry to manage an outbreak, Cr Tancred reported.
It’s important to note, he wrote, that local governments are not involved in contributing costs and would be reimbursed for activities they are required to do under the national response such as surveillance, movement control, or quarantining.
The aim of any response would be quick eradication whilst minimising social/economic impacts.
A National Livestock Stand Still (NLSS) would be implemented if a detection occurred anywhere in Australia, but stock in transit could have a reasonable chance to finish their journey or turn around.
Saleyards are considered a high risk location and local sub-plans are important, Cr Tancred wrote.
“These are informed by DAFF and SDRC is well down the path of developing theirs.”
Show grounds also high risk areas.
“Because the response plans are mature the work to do now is to strengthen the communication links and processes between all players,” Cr Tancred stated. “LGAQ is playing a role to deliver training and scenario testing with groups of councils.”
A likely route of entry for AFS and FMD is from infected food bring eaten by pigs (either pets, commercial or feral).
Cr Tancred highlighted in his report that “part of preparedness is good dump management so pigs aren’t foraging” and that they should focus on reducing the feral pig population.
“The overall message was that we should be alert but not alarmed.”
