June 7, 2022

 

Australia's biosecurity at risk with lack of veterinarians  
 
 

Australia's shortage of veterinarians in rural and regional areas could put national biosecurity at risk as livestock diseases, such as lumpy skin disease and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), inch closer, an industry spokesperson said last month.

 

The country's livestock sector was on high alert since May 6 when Indonesia announced the detection of more than 1,000 cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in cattle.

 

Head of veterinary and public affairs for the Australian Veterinary Association, Cristy Secombe, said Australian vets play an important biosecurity role for the agricultural sector.

 

"We would be very worried if there was a FMD outbreak coming into Australia, that we would not have sufficient vet capacity rurally to be able to play our role in the biosecurity response," Dr. Secombe said.

 

Dr. Secombe said pre-emptive control measures were needed to ensure the disease was excluded from entering Australia.

 

"It's a really important issue. If FMD did come to Australia, then it's all-hands-on-deck to make sure that we deal with the disease outbreak so the community is safe," she added. "I think we need to scenario plan. It may require some mobilisation of veterinarians from other countries to assist."

 

The lack of veterinarians is linked to the poor retention of skilled vets — a problem blamed on renumeration as many vets work for free to keep expenses down for the community.

 

Meanwhile, Australia's chief veterinary officer, Mark Schipp, said the arrival of FMD in Indonesia greatly increased the risk to Australia's cattle, sheep, goat and pig industries.

 

"An estimate was done in 2013 that if we had a large-scale outbreak, it would be a $50-billion cost to those industries because we would lose all of our export markets," Dr. Schipp said. "It has very significant trade consequences as well as for animal health and welfare."

 

Dr. Schipp added that in the event of an outbreak, Australia would likely need to rely on help from other industries and departments.

 

He pointed out that Australia has a vaccine bank held in the United Kingdom and could call upon other countries for their vaccines as well.

- ABC