Foot and mouth disease (FMD): Border closure is needed to stop outbreak

FMD fragments have been discovered in Adelaide and Melbourne this week, with agriculture minister Murray Watt warning that a single case of FMD would halt Australia's export industry overnight.

The government might be tightening border controls in an effort to keep the disease out of Australia, but Dubbo Stock and Station Agent president Martin Simmons called for the border to be shut to Bali and Indonesia.

He said it's "naive" to think FMD won't be detected in Australia due to risks from travellers and imports.

"It's going to be a long way back if it comes, and I think we're kidding ourselves to think we can keep it at bay," Mr Simmons said.

"If we thought COVID was bad, it'll be nothing on a foot and mouth disease outbreak. There will be long-term ramifications, not just to the farming community but the nation."

Livestock sales are increasing, but there's other factors forcing farmers to sell.

"We have seen a rise in the number [of livestock] in recent times, but it has also been a wet and cold winter, plus the feed isn't there. With the threat of foot and mouth [disease] there's reason to sell," Mr Simmons said.

Tablelands Rural Agency director Taylor Meek said fears of an outbreaking "plays on people's minds" and while some are waiting and watching, others are selling stock.

"If you're a bit a of a realist you'll deal with what comes, but some people are bringing sales forward. People are hedging their bets with sales," he said.

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Rural land prices may have "tanked" around three months ago due to rising interest rates and inflation, but Mr Meek warns the impacts from FMD would be dire.

"If foot and mouth disease comes over it'll be devastating for land prices," he said.

The agents agree that it is the unknown that is worrying farmers across the country, and fears that livestock will have to be destroyed if FMD is detected in Australia.

"Whilever it's in Bali we'll be dealing with it, it's not a 100 metre sprint, this is a 50 kilometre marathon," Mr Meek said.