Expert staff from Local Land Services (LLS) are ramping up their efforts to ensure farmers can manage a possible incursion of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
Announced by the Minister for Regional NSW, Paul Toole, a team of LLS veterinarians and specialist biosecurity staff are to host a series of targeted workshops and webinars, along with visits to saleyards and field days to help farmers identify and report the early signs of FMD and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD).
“While the focus remains on keeping these diseases out of NSW, it’s crucial to prepare for a worst-case scenario,” Mr Toole said.
“Our top priority is ensuring FMD and LSD never reach our shores – and we’ve been pushing hard for stronger biosecurity measures to keep our industry safe,” he said.
“But we do need to be prepared for the worst and that’s why we’re arming farmers with the information they need now.”
Mr Toole said farmers could play their part by being alert for warning signs, regularly monitoring livestock and quickly reporting any suspect cases.
He said there were also hundreds of LLS biosecurity signs available across the State for farmers to utilise and to warn people of the risks of bringing unwanted pests onto their properties.
Minister for Agriculture, Dugald Saunders urged livestock producers to ensure their farm biosecurity plans were up to date.
“Farm biosecurity plans are the foundation of our State’s preparedness when it comes to new animal and plant diseases,” Mr Saunders said.
“These can be simple measures built into day-to-day operations that will help protect your farm and ultimately, our State,” he said.
“I am encouraging farmers to be overly cautious with people who come onto their properties and monitor livestock closely for blisters in and around the mouth area, drooling and limping.”
Mr Saunders encouraged farmers who were interested in learning more about FMD or LSD and attending an upcoming event, to visit LLS’ website for more information.
The LLS website can be accessed at this PS News link.
