August 2, 2023

 

Livestock South Australia funds study for state-wide livestock facility network

 

The Australian state government will provide AUD 150,000 (~US$98,300; AUD 1 = US$0.66) to Livestock South Australia (Livestock SA) towards conducting a business case into the feasibility of a state-wide network of truck washing and effluent facilities, the Government of South Australia reported.

 

The establishment of such facilities at livestock trans-shipping hubs is expected to further support the safety, efficiency, and biosecurity of South Australia's AUD 4.1 billion (~US$2.6 billion) livestock industry.

 

While a variety of initiatives and preparedness activities are already being undertaken in South Australia against the increased risk of emergency animal diseases such as foot and mouth disease (FMD), lumpy skin disease (LSD) and African swine fever (ASF); it is anticipated that a truck wash facility network would further strengthen the state's already high biosecurity standards.

 

In addition to benefits to the livestock industry, such facilities would also provide an environmental benefit through minimising the potential spread of weeds into environmentally sensitive areas.

 

The grant will allow Livestock SA to prepare a formal business case for potential facilities across the state by investigating issues such as washdown objectives and requirements, technical specifications, approvals/licence specifications, capital and operational costs, commercial models, financial and risk assessments, and stakeholder consultation.

 

It is currently anticipated that the business case analysis will be completed by 31 May 2024.

 

Clare Scriven, Minister for Primary Industries, Regional Development, Forestry, said, "With high-risk Emergency Animal Diseases now in neighbouring countries, it is imperative that we investigate all options to ensure South Australia's biosecurity standards remain steadfast against such threats."

 

"While thankfully South Australia (and Australia) is free of high-risk diseases such as foot and mouth, we cannot let our guard down."

 

"An FMD outbreak would lead to an immediate halt of exports of animal and animal by-products and would also impact other agricultural industries well beyond farming communities, including impacts on hospitality and tourism, and the domestic supply of food products," the minister said.

 

Travis Tobin Livestock SA CEO, said, "This project is an important step in delivering a much-needed network of biosecurity washdown facilities across the state."

 

"It builds on the work industry and government have already done to ensure the livestock industries are better prepared for the threat of exotic animal diseases and the need to continue investing in better biosecurity management."

 

"There is a strong view that a state-wide washdown infrastructure network is needed to help protect our industries, ensure animal welfare standards can be maintained and enhanced, and deliver environment benefits such as reducing the spread of weeds of significance," Tobin said.

 

-      Government of South Australia