Jo Palmer,Minister for Primary Industries and Water
Everyone has a role to play in helping keep Tasmania free from the harmful impacts of pests and diseases.
With the detection of Foot and Mouth Disease in Indonesia, the Tasmanian Liberal Government is bolstering our border protections with eight additional Biosecurity staff engaged to help deliver increased inspection and surveillance activities.
Our Government has also unveiled new signage at Tasmania's major arrival points that encourages travellers returning from Indonesia to make themselves known to our biosecurity inspectors on arrival so their clothing and luggage can be checked for any contaminants.
Foot and Mouth Disease can live for long periods on clothing, shoes and equipment, so it is important travellers clean these items thoroughly, especially if they have visited farms or rural areas of Indonesia.
Travellers coming into Australia and Tasmania from Indonesia must not carry any animal, meat or dairy products.
Australia is free of Foot and Mouth Disease and while the risk of it entering remains low, the Tasmanian Government is continuing to work together with the Australian Government, industry and the community to further safeguard our borders.
Tasmania's biosecurity system is strong and ready to protect our environment and world-class agricultural and tourism industries.
On Monday I hosted a meeting of the Tasmanian Agricultural Coordination Group made up of leaders of key peak bodies to update them on Foot and Mouth Disease, lumpy skin disease and the Varroa mite.
At this meeting, Biosecurity Tasmania explained how it is managing the State's borders, what members can do, and the additional measures we are putting in place to further protect Tasmania from Foot and Mouth Disease and other unwanted pests, weeds and diseases.
The Australian Government is leading the response at our international borders with all states increasing their border controls, meaning that multiple inspections are carried out by highly trained staff on parcels, goods and passengers as they enter Australia, transit through states and arrive at our borders.
Biosecurity Tasmania has established a pilot program which involves Biosecurity Inspectors engaging with returning travellers who may be transiting from flights originating in Indonesia.
There is no threat to human health from Foot and Mouth Disease and it is unrelated to human hand, foot and mouth disease.
We encourage all Tasmanians who travel overseas to be vigilant to ensure our world-class industries, and the many jobs they support, are protected.
