Despite not closing the border to afflicted nations, Anthony Albanese has proclaimed that the federal government’s efforts to prevent the terrible foot and mouth disease from invading Australian livestock are the “strongest ever.”
The government’s decision to maintain an open border with Indonesia as the nation fights an outbreak was backed by the prime minister.
He said on Sunday on Sky News that “these are the strongest ever restrictions imposed by an Australian government ever in terms of biosecurity when it comes to foot and mouth disease.”
It’s crucial to remember that Australia is free of foot and mouth disease and that our products are still sold all over the world.
The nation’s farming organisations, according to Mr. Albanese, support his government’s decision not to outlaw flights because doing so would have a “severe” negative impact on the economy and trade.
You can’t achieve that by abruptly adopting an idea that the previous administration never, ever put into practice, he remarked.
“No Coalition government has implemented such strong measures as we have announced and implemented during this current issue as it has been rolled out,” the government said.
Travelers would be instructed to follow biosecurity procedures, which might include taking off their shoes or crossing sanitization mats, and would also subject them to questioning from officers.
The Biosecurity Act’s authority has never been exercised in Australia before.
The Coalition demanded that the border be closed and criticised how quickly the government responded.
The establishment of biosecurity response zones across international airports where visitors arriving in Australia can be more thoroughly screened was approved by Agriculture Minister Murray Watt on Friday.
Additionally, Senator Watt had disclosed a $14 million package to help lessen the possibility of disease escaping Bali.
Cattle, sheep, goats, camelids, deer, and pigs are all affected by the disease, which is very contagious.
According to experts, if the virus spreads to Australia, it could cost the country’s economy $80 billion over the course of ten years.
Live animals carry the virus, which can also be found in soil, bones, untreated hides, meat, dairy products, vehicles, and equipment used with farm animals.