Update on emergency animal diseases

Foot-and-mouth disease and lumpy skin disease update – 31 August 2022

Dear industry stakeholder,

Welcome to our regular foot-and-mouth (FMD) and lumpy skin diseases (LSD) email update. If you have not already signed up to receive these updates, please register here.

The Western Australian (WA) Government are continuing to engage with livestock industry stakeholders on FMD preparedness as part of our “Are you FMD ready?” campaign.

Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan recently wrote to local governments in peri-urban areas to highlight the risk pathways of FMD into WA. In her letter, Minister MacTiernan urged small landholders to register all livestock and comply with pig feed (pig swill) legislation (illegal).

DPIRD staff have held FMD Information sessions in various parts of regional WA. The next session will be held on 2 September in Albany. If you are interested in attending, register here or call the DPIRD Albany office on (08) 9892 8406.

Below are some of the most commonly asked questions raised in recent information sessions:

Will I receive compensation if my livestock are destroyed during an FMD outbreak?

The owner of livestock or property (animal product, fodder or thing) ordered for destruction under the Exotic Diseases of Animals Act 1993 for the purpose of eradicating, controlling or preventing the spread of an exotic disease, is eligible for compensation.

The Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan (AUSVETPLAN) and state and territory legislation includes detail on compensation arrangements in the event of an emergency animal disease. Also read Australia's Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA) which documents nationally agreed arrangements for the cost sharing of compensation paid to affected livestock owners.

Business-as-usual costs, such as feed costs, are not included within the compensation cost-sharing provisions within EADRA. Compensation is also not available for loss of profit, loss arising from any breach of contract, loss of production or any other consequential losses.

Relief and recovery mechanisms are included within National and State Emergency Management Disaster relief and recovery arrangements.

How much compensation will I be entitled to if my animals are destroyed during an FMD response?

Livestock compensation is set at market value of stock on the date of detection or reporting. Property compensation is assessed as value of the property immediately prior to destruction. The value of property is that applicable immediately before destruction.

The value of livestock is based on the date the owner reports the disease or suspicion of disease, or the date of detection of the disease by an inspector, or the date of imposition of a quarantine order relating to the disease, whichever is the earlier date.

The EADRA and AUSVETPLAN set out the overarching framework for the valuation of livestock and property affected by an EAD response.

For more information see: AUSVETPLAN Operational Manual – Valuation and compensation

Will Australia use vaccinations in the event of an FMD outbreak?

Australia is recognised as ‘free from FMD, without vaccination’. This allows Australia’s international trade to continue. If vaccinations were implemented, Australia would lose this status, which would affect trade.

The Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases (CCEAD) will consider the use of vaccination from day one of an FMD response. Australia has an overseas FMD vaccine bank and vaccines will be available for use if there is an incursion in Australia.

Further information can be found at Australia's national foot-and-mouth disease vaccination policy.

Indonesia is using vaccines to control the FMD outbreak in that country. Australia is supporting their control efforts by providing one million FMD vaccines. Read more about this initiative here.

How can I learn more about FMD?

For up-to-date information about these diseases and links to useful online resources, please visit DPIRD’s Emergency Animal Disease Hub webpage.

DPIRD staff will be at the following events:

• DPIRD Foot-and-mouth disease preparedness information forum - Albany: Friday 2 September, 1pm to 3pm – register here.
• Newdegate Machinery Field Day: 7-8 September – visit the Newdegate website

Further information

Resources from DPIRD: 

• Emergency Animal Disease Hub: foot-and-mouth and lumpy skin diseases – view
• Foot-and-mouth disease: prevention and preparedness – view
• Lumpy skin disease: prevention and preparedness – view
• Livestock ownership, identification and movement in Western Australia – view
• Farm visitor contractor guide to biosecurity factsheet – view
• Regular updates via email (if not already receiving this email) – register here

Other government resources: 

• Engagement Hub - Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, QLD – view
• FMD National Outlook - Australian Government – view
• Lumpy Skin Disease - Australian Government – view

Yours sincerely,

Dr Bruce Mullan
FMD and LSD Preparedness Coordinator
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Dr Michelle Rodan
Chief Veterinary Officer of Western Australia 
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Important disclaimer 

The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the State of Western Australia accept no liability whatsoever by reason of negligence or otherwise arising from the use or release of this information or any part of it.

Copyright © Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, 2022