The federal government has submitted $ 14 million in new funding to help tackle the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Indonesia, ruling out closing borders at this time.
Speaking outside Sydney International Airport on his return from Indonesia, Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said travelers could also expect to see increased biosecurity measures when traveling to places like Bali.
“We all have to take this seriously,” Watt said.
Australian Agriculture Minister Murray Watt (right) with his Indonesian counterpart Syahrul Yasin Limpo. Credit: AP
The agriculture minister said the new round of funding will allocate $ 5 million to immediate support in Indonesia to help with vaccine distribution, logistics, strengthening laboratory capabilities and diagnostic testing.
The money will also be shared with East Timor and Papua New Guinea to help deal with nodular skin disease.
An additional $ 9 million will be spent in Australia to ensure the country is protected but ready for an outbreak with 18 additional biosecurity officers to be sent to Australian mail centers and airports.
“It is up to all of us, as Australians, to take the necessary steps to contain this outbreak and keep it out of our country,” he said.
New measures will also be put in place at airports for returning travelers.
Watt said those arriving from places like Bali will be profiled as high-risk passengers with sniffer dogs in place to examine luggage and shoe cleaning available for people who had come in contact with livestock. The other passengers will be checked at random.
Watt said there was no advice at this time to suggest that border closures were needed.
“Biosafety is a shared responsibility. We need the traveling public to take this seriously. “
An outbreak in Australia is estimated to cost the economy up to $ 80 billion, he said.