July 31, 2023
Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Mark Schipp has emphasised Australia is free of lumpy skin disease, despite the fact Indonesian authorities say some positive cases have been identified in exported cattle.
“I can confirm that lumpy skin disease, or LSD, has never been detected in Australia, and Australia remains free from the disease,” a statement issued on Sunday by Dr Schipp said.
“The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has been advised by the Indonesian Agriculture and Quarantine Agency that LSD has been detected in a small number of Australian cattle exported to Indonesia, after those cattle had arrived and spent some time in Indonesia.
“Given the presence of LSD in Indonesia, positive results in cattle post arrival in Indonesia are not unexpected.
“As Australia remains LSD free, a detection of LSD in another country, such as Indonesia, does not change Australia’s animal health status.
“We have worked closely with our Indonesian colleagues for many years on joint areas of interest such as animal biosecurity.
“We continue to do so to provide assurance that all animals exported from Australia comply with all Indonesian requirements, including being free of LSD.
“Australia has robust biosecurity systems in place for the ongoing monitoring of Australia’s animal disease status, including for LSD.
“LSD is a highly infectious viral disease of cattle and buffalo that is transmitted by biting insects.
“It is not a disease that poses a risk to humans.
“There is no cause for concern for Australian cattle producers as Australia remains LSD free.
“Australia continues to trade livestock products internationally including live cattle to Indonesia.”
In a doorstop interview on Monday morning, National Party Leader David Littleproud called for calm.
“Oh, I think we should be calm. I’m very confident that we don’t have lumpy skin disease here in Australia,” Mr Littleproud said.
“I’m very confident that the testing will prove that the cattle that have tested positive were in yards in Indonesia for a number of days.
“So I think it’s important that we demonstrate that with science, that we give our trading partners that certainty.
“I think we need to create that environment for the department to be able undertake that. But I’m very confident in our science.
“I’m very confident in our biosecurity measures, that they will stand the test of time in this one and that we’ll be able to resume trade out of those four facilities in the coming weeks.”
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