September 9, 2022

Australia bans meat imports for personal use from countries with foot-and-mouth disease

The Australian government has announced a ban on meat imports for personal use from countries with foot-and-mouth disease, as it aims to keep the country free from the virus, Bloomberg reported.

Murray Watt, Australia's Agriculture Minister, said the new restrictions will apply to some highly processed meat products intended for personal use, such as pate, pork crackling, or meat floss. He said that this was the first time such strong measures had been enforced.

In response to the discovery of foot-and-mouth disease in Indonesia, where it has spread through cattle herds and reached tourist hotspot Bali, Australia has increased surveillance and measures at borders to prevent an incursion. A widespread outbreak of the disease could potentially have a direct economic impact of AUD 80 billion (S$75.7 billion), posing a serious threat to Australia's livestock industry.

Cattle, sheep, goats, and swine are all susceptible to the highly contagious disease foot-and-mouth. Fever and blister-like sores on the tongue, lips, mouth, teats, and between the hooves are its defining symptoms.

The virus is endemic and is thought to affect almost 80% of the world's livestock, primarily in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, as well as a small portion of South America. According to the World Organisation for Animal Health, the disease is not present in Australia, New Zealand, Western Europe, North America, or Central America.

Australia discovered signs of foot-and-mouth disease in a sample of Chinese-imported pork floss that was being sold in Melbourne in July. Officers seized the product from all associated supermarkets and a warehouse in Melbourne even though the test did not reveal a live virus.

-      Bloomberg