RAPAD Backs Foot and Mouth Disease Action

WQAC STATEMENT ON FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

The Western Queensland Alliance of Councils has welcomed recent Australian and Queensland government moves to prevent Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) from reaching Australia, and urge continued vigilance in delivering adequate resources and the strongest and swiftest measures possible to keep Australia FMD free.

The recent boosts to biosecurity measures and the National Biosecurity Strategy announced today is a step in the right direction. Our region stands ready to work with government, agencies and industry bodies to continue to drive awareness and responses of the FMD, lumpy skin disease and other biosecurity risks with our local producers, residents, and visitors.

Already our member council organisations have activated social media messaging within our communities about remaining vigilant, are looking to roll out training with our local laws officers, and are planning and preparing for a FMD outbreak through our respective Local Disaster Management Group mechanisms.

The possible risk of FMD entering Australia is of grave concern to the 22 councils of Western Queensland given the significant costs to our communities and the reputational damage to our beef, sheep and goat industries.

Much of Western Queensland’s economic, social, environmental and cultural foundations are built on these industries which support family businesses to large fully integrated corporate operations.

Queensland has the largest beef cattle herd in Australia with Western Queensland being home to extensive cattle breeding operations which supply Australia’s live export facilities in Townsville and Darwin as well as intensive production networks in the South based on fattening cattle for processing and exportation as boxed beef.

In addition to this, Western Queensland’s sheep and goat herd numbers continue to grow as the market value for these two products continues to increase and improved feral pest initiatives are supported and implemented.

Western Queensland is also home to Australia’s largest cattle selling centre in the Roma Saleyards and an extensive network of associated industry supply chains which further support local businesses and families across the region.

The WQAC represents the 22 rural and remote councils that cover 60% of the State from the Gulf of Carpentaria in the north to the New South Wales and South Australian borders in the south.

For more information on the WQAC visit its website at: www.wqac.com.au

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Media enquiries: Aleisha Domrow 0423 116 865