The Hon Nicola Centofanti, Shadow Minister for Primary Industries (SA), Media Release, 24 July 2022

The Opposition is calling for additional biosecurity officers to be stationed at Adelaide Airport as fears grow over foot and mouth disease (FMD) potentially getting into South Australia which would have devastating consequences for the economy, jobs and cost of living.

An urgent biosecurity staffing boost would allow for the luggage of every traveller from Indonesia to be individually inspected, creating an extra ring of protection for SA’s livestock industry while Labor governments sluggishly roll out disinfectant mats.

Adelaide Airport will be swarming with returning travellers today and a widespread outbreak of FMD would have devastating consequences for the Australian industry, posing an estimated $80 billion threat to the economy, risking jobs and further adding to the current cost of living crisis.

Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Nicola Centofanti said urgent, coordinated, and comprehensive action from both the State and Federal Labor Governments is needed now.

“We are dealing with a potential catastrophe right on our doorstep, yet we are seeing no sense of urgency from the Malinauskas Labor Government,” Ms Centofanti said.

“This is a very real threat, with fragments of foot and mouth disease discovered in an undeclared beef product at Adelaide Airport this past week sounding alarm bells for the livestock industry and everyone who enjoys our world-class produce.

“As a veterinarian just the mention of ‘foot and mouth disease’ creates an intense feeling of fear, a reaction that is shared by so many South Australian farmers.

“With still no confirmation on exactly when sanitising foot mats will be arriving at our airport, mobilising extra biosecurity officers will ensure passengers from Indonesia will be screened properly, reducing the risk of this devastating disease reaching our farms.

“We’ve been calling on the Malinauskas Labor Government to take action for weeks, but so far they’ve been MIA.

“FMD is spreading like wildfire in Indonesia, so the Malinauskas Labor Government must work quickly and productively with their Canberra colleagues to stand up for South Australian farmers and make sure this disease is kept out of our country.

“Today, many South Australian families will be returning home to Adelaide as school holidays come to a close – I sincerely hope our government hasn’t left it too late to introduce stricter biosecurity measures.”