$6.8m to protect SA from Emergency Animal Diseases

Media Release:

Clare Scriven MLC
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development

Stephen Mullighan
Treasurer

The Malinauskas Government will invest $6.8 million over four years to help the South Australia combat the increased risk of Emergency Animal Diseases (EAD's) such as Foot and Mouth (FMD), African Swine Fever (ASF) Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD).

Increased detections in Southeast Asia of several EADs has significantly increased the biosecurity risk for Australia, prompting additional measures.

The funds will ensure South Australia is prepared for, and able to respond to, any incursions, and will include:

• Purchase of mobile laboratory facilities for rural areas
• Training in response activities such as disposal and decontamination
• Purchase of emergency response units including equipment for quarantine, sampling, and decontamination
• Additional veterinarians and Animal Health staff for risk assessment, diagnostic, and co-ordination capacity, particularly with the regional veterinary workforce.

The impact of an Emergency Animal Disease such as FMD would have significant impacts on the state’s economy, including predicted job losses of over 8000 workers in the primary production sector, and higher food prices.

Quotes attributable to Clare Scriven:

With the heightened risk of emergency animal diseases, the State Government is doing all it can to ensure South Australia is well placed to respond if required.

Protecting our agricultural industries from EADs in South Australia is vital for food security, our state’s economy and the growth of our regional communities.

This significant investment in preparedness and response capacity is crucial to protecting our livestock industries and meat processing sectors, which contribute a combined $5.4 billion to our economy each year.

Quotes attributable to Travis Tobin, CEO Livestock SA:

Livestock SA welcomes the government’s recognition of the increasing biosecurity risks our industry faces and its commitment to enhancing the State’s preparedness and ability to respond.

Over recent years successive governments have reduced funding and resourcing that support our industry so this investment to increase capacity around diagnostics and animal health professionals is an important step.

Livestock industries are the backbone of regional economies across the State, so we need to be as well prepared as possible should the unthinkable happen.