Farmers focus on FMD threat

By Geoff Adams

Aug 19, 2022

VFF vice-president Danyel Cucinotta Photo by Supplied

Farmers attending a series of VFF information sessions have been talking about how a foot and mouth disease outbreak would be managed in Australia.

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The VFF called the round table meetings for Cohuna, Lockington and Wangaratta on August 16 and 17.

Although there were a number of topics on the agenda, the threats from foot and mouth disease and lumpy skin disease were the most talked about issues, VFF vice-president Danyel Cucinotta told Country News.

Foot and mouth disease was detected in Indonesia in May and has spread to Bali, a popular destination for Australian tourists. About 1.3 million Australians visited Bali in 2019.

Australia is free from FMD.

Although the management of any outbreaks was a responsibility for state government departments, the VFF had a role in advocacy and representing farmer concerns, Ms Cucinotta said.

She was impressed with the general awareness of the disease threats among farmers and said most of the questions raised at the forums were about details, such as what restrictions on stock movements would mean for farmers shifting stock between their own properties.

The VFF would be seeking answers to questions which were raised at the forums from the state’s chief veterinary officer and passing on issues raised.

Ms Cucinota said she was pleased to see a vet attended one of the forums.