A disease which has the potential to cost the Australian economy more than $13 billion will be the focus of an international symposium to be held in Melbourne next year.
Agriculture Minister Joe Helper said that amid recent global concern over the potential spread of various infectious diseases, it was important governments took action to ensure they were protected from and prepared to deal with Foot and Mouth Disease.

The Victorian Department of Primary Industries, CSIRO’s Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Animal Health Australia and the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry are organising the Foot and Mouth Disease International Symposium and Workshop to be held in April 2010.

“Freedom from FMD means Australia’s livestock industries have an important and lucrative trade advantage and access to premium international markets,” Mr Helper said.

“But if there was to be an outbreak, experts say under the worst case scenario it could cost the community, including our livestock industries, more than $13 billion.”

Mr Helper said scientists, animal health managers, policy makers and livestock industry representatives from across Australia and the world would come together at the conference to provide critical insight and discuss the latest developments in FMD research, surveillance and diagnosis and control.

“The Brumby Government is committed to protecting Victoria from biosecurity threats that affect our primary industries, environment and human health,” he said.

Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Hugh Millar said that later this year the Department of Primary Industries would conduct a large-scale simulation exercise where staff would be confronted with scenarios that could arise if a FMD outbreak was to hit the state.

“Initiatives like this mean we are on the front foot in understanding emerging biosecurity risks and how to best protect Australia from them. It also ensures we are prepared and have an effective response plan should the disease occur,” Dr Millar said.

He said a similar interactive workshop would be held at the conference.