Foot and mouth disease crackdown as Royal Show returns
Additional biosecurity measures, including foot mats for patrons, will be in place at the Showgrounds tomorrow to minimise the risk of exotic diseases spreading to livestock, as the Royal Adelaide Show finalises preparations to return after a two-year COVID-hiatus.
Photo: Royal Adelaide Show/Facebook
The Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society (RA&HS) and the Department for Primary Industries are urging Showgoers to wear clean footwear and clothes to the event and not to touch or feed the animals in the pavilions unless expressly allowed.
People who have been overseas in the past seven days are advised not to enter livestock pavilions.
Citric acid foot mats, similar to those rolled out at Australian airports, will also be in place at the Showgrounds entrances for patrons to disinfect their shoes, while boot cleaning facilities will be in place for producers and judges who have regular contact with animals.
“The welfare of all animals at the Show is of utmost importance to all involved, exhibitors, councillors and staff,” outgoing RA&HS CEO John Rothwell said in a statement.
“To demonstrate good biosecurity practices, the Royal Show has increased its biosecurity measures, which include the addition of citric-acid foot mats at all public entrances, boot cleaning facilities in livestock areas and increased signage around the Showground.”
Animal health experts will also be conducting regular health checks on the animals on display.
Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven said the risk of FMD spreading at the Show is considered “very low” but the measures are in place as a precaution.
“Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility. I call on every South Australian to do their bit to keep our agricultural industries, including our animals, safe,” she said in a statement.
“This doesn’t just apply at the Show, but whenever you’re visiting a farm, hiking on trails through farmland, or visiting an agricultural school.”
Foot and mouth disease is not transmittable to humans but affects all cloven-hoofed animals including cattle, sheep and pigs and represents a significant threat to Australia’s livestock industry.
The disease was detected in Indonesia in May, prompting stringent biosecurity measures at Australian airports for returning travellers. Viral fragments of the disease were detected at Adelaide Airport in June.
The Royal Adelaide Show returns on Saturday for the first time since 2019. The nine-day event runs until Sunday, September 11.
