Foot-and-mouth disease spread in Indonesia raises concerns among New Zealand livestock breeders

The detection of foot-and-mouth disease virus fragments on pork products in Australia is another reminder of the need to remain vigilant while this livestock disease rages in Indonesia.

Although the fragments were not contagious, Will Holliday, Beef + Lamb New Zealand's senior biosecurity and animal welfare adviser, says it was a wake-up call and highlighted the risk of this virus being introduced unexpectedly.

He urges farmers to follow good biosecurity practices and while the risk of foot-and-mouth disease arriving in New Zealand is still considered low, everyone must do their part to prevent foot-and-mouth disease from entering the country and spreading it.

The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) has stepped up surveillance at airports and farmers are being asked to ensure they are aware of the signs of the disease and that all animal movement records and animal health declarations are up to date. 

“We also strongly recommend that farmers do not invite visitors from abroad, especially from Indonesia, to their farms for seven days after arrival. Foot-and-mouth disease is present in tourist hotspots such as Bali, where livestock roam freely and shoes and sports equipment have the potential to bring the disease to New Zealand, where the consequences will be devastating.”

The meat processing and exporting sector, as well as sheep and beef farmers, collectively generate more than $12 billion in revenue per year for New Zealand, according to a Heilbron report. The sector is New Zealand's largest manufacturing industry and the second largest exporter of goods. It accounts for 92,000 jobs and $4.6 billion in household income.

B+LNZ is working closely with the Ministry of Primary Industries on the FMD working group to increase preparedness for FMD in the unlikely event of an outbreak, but the organization is also calling on the government to increase oversight and enforcement of slop feeding to pigs, a recognized risk route if border measures won't work.