Questions are being raised about Australia’s ability to trace livestock as the country’s chief vet warns the risk of a major animal disease outbreak is increasing.
Key points:
- A major review of Australia’s meat industries has recommended all livestock be fitted with electronic ID tags
- Australia’s chief vet says there’s a 42 per cent chance of a major animal disease in Australia in the next five years
- Industry is divided over calls to reboot contact tracing for livestock
A group of experts led by Mark Schipp has estimated there is a 42 per cent probability Australia will experience a major animal disease outbreak in the next five years.
That includes a one in five chance of an African swine fever outbreak, and an almost one in 10 chance of both African horse sickness and foot and mouth disease.
It said there was an 8 per cent probability of a lumpy skin disease outbreak.
“Dr Schipp has noted that from his role as Australian Chief Veterinary Officer for the past decade, his personal observation is that the level of concern amongst experts generally is at a level he has not previously encountered, and that there is good reason for this concern,” a spokesman for Dr Schipp said.
A major animal disease outbreak would devastate Australia’s $17 billion livestock sector.
Traceability changes recommended
A major review of Australia’s meat industries has recommended major changes to livestock traceability systems.
Industry and government group SafeMeat recommended a new national regulator be established and funded to oversee traceability, which is currently the responsibility of states.
The review also recommended that all livestock be fitted with individual electronic identification (EID) tags by 2025.
The EID tags are already used in cattle across Australia, but Victoria is the only state where it is mandatory for sheep.
SafeMeat advisory group chairman Andrew Henderson said the ability to quickly trace livestock was central to ensuring trading partners that Australian meat was safe.
Industry divided
Farmer groups are split on the need to implement mandatory EID tags across species.
WoolProducers president Ed Storey said his group’s support for changes was conditional.
“We’re open to considering it,” he said.
“We need a national body to administer it, we need a database that can handle it all and we need equitable funding arrangements put in place.
“Those are three key prerequisites that need to be done lock, stock and barrel before we would consider implementing a system where growers put individual identification in sheep, because that will be more expensive.”
NSW Farmers spokesman David Young said the cost of electronic tags could be up to three times that of the plastic tags currently used for mob-based sheep tracing in his state.
“You’re talking about 40-odd cents for a mob-based tag, anywhere from $1.25 — $1.50 or more for an EID tag, it depends on your supplier,” Mr Young said.
NSW Farmers is currently opposed to mandatory EID, but will consider a policy shift at its annual conference later this month.
Sheep Producers Australia has already backed SafeMeat’s recommendations.
“Producers should think about it like an insurance policy because it gives us biosecurity, the ability to trace animals quickly should there be a disease outbreak or an incursion,” spokeswoman Bonnie Skinner said.
“[It] means that we can ideally stop that disease as soon as we can, which means we can resume trading as soon as possible.
“COVID has shown us the sooner we can trace things, the better we can get on top of them.”
Victorian livestock agent Heath Templeton said the current system of Victoria being the only state to mandate EID in sheep was not working.
“COVID has proved we’re not states, we’re different little countries at the moment, but if a national system is being proposed, it should be put through as a national system.”
Working group considering recommendations
New South Wales chief vet Sarah Britton chairs a national working group that is considering options to establish SafeMeat’s recommendations.
She won’t comment on her group’s findings but said “the paperwork” would be with the National Biosecurity Committee this month.
“They’re the decision makers in this,” Dr Britton said.
The National Biosecurity Committee is made up of senior federal and state bureaucrats, and New Zealand officials.
It declined to speak with Landline.
Not just about sheep
A major disease outbreak could cross species and have ramifications across sectors.
Despite cattle farmers using EID in Australia for decades, farmers including AgForce’s Will Wilson believe the traceability system needs to provide more value.
“It’s not good enough to have a system in place, and not do anything with it for 20 years,” Mr Wilson said.
Mr Wilson believes a national traceability database should carry more data relevant to farmers and consumers about things that might driver a premium, such as sustainability.
“Apparently, people are drinking half almond milk, half full cream, milk cappuccinos, so they can feel as if they’re supporting nature,” he said.
“So we’ve got to try and work out how a system like this can give us the opportunity to deliver whatever information they want.”
Watch this story on ABC TV’s Landline this Sunday at 12:30pm or on iview.