Australia-New Zealand defending against foot and mouth disease

A new action plan between Australia and New Zealand will see defences against the threat of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) strengthened.

Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, and New Zealand’s Minister for Primary Industries, Nathan Guy, have announced the two countries will work more closely together focusing combined defences against the threat of FMD.

Australia has successfully kept FMD out of the country for more than 130 years.

Key activities under the joint plan include:

• sharing intelligence on emerging animal health risks facing our region
• developing and improving training activities and FMD detection capabilities, including training in exotic animal disease recognition and participating in joint exercises
• sharing and comparing economic and disease models of FMD to inform management strategies
• collaborating on policy development, approaches and operational plans for vaccination and carcass disposal
• participating in simulation exercises to explore how we could support response efforts in the event of an incursion.