East Gippsland farmers are anxiously watching developments in relation to foot and mouth disease in Indonesia, and Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull, is calling on all levels of government to work with them to ensure we are ready should an outbreak occur. “I have been in discussions with local farmers, stock agents and East Gippsland Shire Council about the situation and the slow response coming out of Canberra to implement more stringent measures for travellers returning from Indonesia.
“We also need to be prepared locally,” Mr Bull said.
“With thousands of Australians travelling to Indonesia, we need to ensure every person coming back into the country is stopped, questioned and required to sterilise or get rid of footwear that might be carrying the disease.
“Victoria’s Department of Agriculture must also step up.
“Last week I wrote to the newly appointed Agriculture Minister, the Hon. Gayle Tierney, seeking information about Agriculture Victoria’s preparedness to manage an outbreak of foot and mouth, including plans for the rapid production of vaccines and their deployment on farms.
IMAGE: Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, is calling on all three levels of government to help farmers protect East Gippsland’s livestock industry from foot and mouth disease. (PS)
