11 May 2022
Who does this notice affect?
Stakeholders associated with shipping or importing goods from Indonesia.
What has changed?
There is currently an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Indonesia. Due to this change in disease status, Indonesia will be removed from the department's FMD-free country list.
To reduce the risk of a potential incursion and help Australia maintain its current FMD-free status the department has taken the decision to make changes to import conditions for goods imported from Indonesia.
Changes will apply to import conditions and permits for the following goods sourced from or manufactured in Indonesia:
- Animal and environmental samples for laboratory use
- Dairy, including:
- cheese and butter
- infant formula
- protein powders and supplements
- cheesecakes, cooked biscuits, cooked breads, cooked cakes or cooked pastries containing uncooked dairy fillings or toppings
- other products containing greater than 10% dairy
- Meat jerky or biltong
- Peat (being black peat, peat moss, sphagnum peat moss or white peat)
The department will contact all permit holders affected by this change to provide further information about the impact.
Further information
Vessels, and the goods and people they convey, also present potential pathways for the FMD virus.
It is critical that existing requirements for cleaning and disinfection of conveyances are strictly adhered to. Livestock carriers should be thoroughly cleaned of organic material and disinfected and disinsected in accordance with current requirements.
Vessel masters and shipping agents are reminded:
- To read and understand the Biosecurity Status Document (BSD) directions and conditions and keep a copy of the current document on board the vessel for the duration of the voyage.
- That a failure to report accurately or comply with a requirement under the Biosecurity Act may result in penalties, including infringement notices, civil penalties or criminal prosecutions.
Additional technical detail is available on the department's website - Foot and mouth disease.
Background
FMD is a highly contagious viral disease of animals. It is one of the most serious livestock diseases. It primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals (those with divided hoofs), including cattle, buffalo, camels, sheep, goats, deer and pigs.
FMD virus is principally transmitted by direct contact between infected animals and susceptible animals. Transmission occurs via secretions and excretions such as exhaled air, saliva, ruptured vesicles, faeces, milk and semen.
FMD virus can also spread on wool, hair, grass, plant material, wind, or mud and/or manure on footwear, clothing, equipment and tyres.
An FMD outbreak in Australia would be devastating to our livestock industries through international trade losses, market disruptions and health and production losses.