The secure your farm: secure your future section updates you on the latest program initiatives and news poll results on key issues from the Farm Biosecurity program.

The Farm Biosecurity website, www.farmbiosecurity.com.au, is now live.
AHA is delighted to announce the launch of the Farm Biosecurity website, an integral part of the Farm Biosecurity program. Containing fact sheets, tips, and more to help producers to secure their farm and secure their future. We hope you find it an invaluable resource.

AHA is driving home its biosecurity message to all livestock producers via the national and rural media, issuing two media releases in recent months.

AHA Steps in as Farm Biosecurity Reaches Farmers’ Agenda
The complete media release can be viewed at www.farmbiosecurity.com.au in the news section. It incorporated the latest opinion poll from a sample of livestock producers and highlighted the AHA range of new resources and tools developed specifically to meet farmers thirst for knowledge about farm biosecurity.

AHA Manager Disease Risk Mitigation Duncan Rowland said that AHA research had shown a heartening interest in embracing new ideas and approaches.

“Producers have told us that they are willing to take on new biosecurity practices. Sixty-eight percent said they were likely to take on a new inspection practice and 71 percent said they would be willing to implement a system of restricting access and logging visitors,” Mr Rowland said.

“Producers have also told us they want biosecurity information including: what the problems are, how to detect them, and what to do about them 73 percent of those interviewed said they would be willing to attend a free course on biosecurity,” he said.

“Recent local and international outbreaks of emergency animal diseases such as equine influenza, foot and mouth disease, avian influenza and varroa mite show that disease can spread quickly and easily without good farm biosecurity in place. Such diseases can be devastating to animal welfare, farm income and trade,” Mr Rowland said.

Any producer noticing unexpected or unusual signs of disease, abnormal behaviour or unexpected deaths in their stock should immediately call a veterinarian or the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Equine influenza prompts farmers to improve farm biosecurity
As a result of the equine influenza outbreak more than a third of all livestock producers have changed their practices to protect livestock from disease.

Research findings released today by Animal Health Australia (AHA), showed that while 72% of farmers feel that they are now well informed about how animal diseases can be spread, many don’t actually understand where they may be vulnerable.

AHA Manager Disease Risk Mitigation Duncan Rowland said that the EI outbreak had led to a new focus on farm biosecurity for all livestock producers, not just those with horses.

“2007 gave us a sobering reminder of the need for good farm biosecurity practices to protect livestock from disease, as producers could see how much horse owners and the industry as a whole were suffering,” Mr Rowland said.

Mr Rowland said that despite livestock producers’ fresh interest and concern, the survey showed that many didn’t necessarily understand the risks.

“While many producers thought moving animals would be the most likely way to transmit disease – and they’re right – only 17% saw people movement as a high risk, which is of concern,” Mr Rowland said.

“During the EI outbreak we saw that much of the disease spread was actually caused by people and equipment as they carried disease from one horse to the next.”

Mr Rowland said that Animal Health Australia’s new online resource for farmers, www.farmbiosecurity.com.au, was designed to help farmers understand and address the risks to their enterprises.

Other research highlights included:

• 68% of farmers feel confident that their farm would be protected in the event of a disease outbreak.
• Horse owners were the most likely to have changed the way they operate, with nearly half completely reviewing their procedures.
• Horse owners were the most proactive in changing the daily operations of their farm to strengthen biosecurity. However, they were the least confident that their property would be fully protected.

Any producer noticing unexpected or unusual signs of disease, abnormal behaviour or unexpected deaths in their stock should immediately call a veterinarian or the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Remember:
Use our news: Please share the articles and news in this e-newsletter with your members and use them in your own industry publications.

Pass it on: We are keen to ensure all relevant member contacts receive the e-newsletter. Please forward Farm Biosecurity News to your members and contacts. They can also use the feedback email to be added to the mailing list.

Tell us: What is happening in your industry or at farm level? Tell us, so we can showcase your fantastic biosecurity initiatives to encourage others.

Find out more: If you would like more information on any of the topics in this edition, please feel free to contact Animal Health Australia via the feedback email.