Since foot and mouth disease (FMD) and lumpy skin disease (LSD) were detected in Indonesia in 2022, the livestock export industry has been increasing its preparedness to respond to a potential exotic disease outbreak in Australia.
One scenario identified in the industry’s LSD Action Plan was the potential for livestock already in transit to be held on ships for longer than originally scheduled, and a need for the ability to identify whether any livestock on board were infected.
This project developed protocols to help ship owners and exporters understand the requirements for sourcing additional feed, bedding, medicines and other items, and how best to use a ship as a quarantine facility in the vicinity of an Australian port or while awaiting discharge at a destination country.
This project was managed by the Livestock Export RD&E Program, a collaboration between LiveCorp and Meat & Livestock Australia.
Develop a protocol to determine the health status of livestock on a ship in transit.
Develop a Standard Operating Procedure for using a livestock export ship as a quarantine facility, either while awaiting discharge at a destination country or in the vicinity of an Australian port.
Provide recommendations on supplies and equipment that ships may need to carry, in case of an exotic disease outbreak.
Consider the risks and requirements for obtaining and supplying additional fodder or other materials to a ship in transit.
The set of materials produced from this project will help to ensure the health and welfare of livestock on export ships for an extended period of time in the unlikely event of an exotic animal disease outbreak in Australia or on board.