Minister resists calls to close border to prevent foot and mouth outbreak

Australia's agriculture minister is resisting calls to close borders to Indonesia in a bid to stop foot and mouth spreading locally. An outbreak could devastate the $80 billion livestock industry – after 150 years free of the highly contagious disease. Murray Watt told Sky News Australia screening in Australian airports and spending on biosecurity in Bali is increasing. He's ruling out closing borders as it would be even more detrimental to trade relations. Sky News Australia discussed the issue with Riverine Plains Chief Executive Catherine Marriott who said closing the borders would be ideal but understands the complexities involved around the decision. "It would de-risk our situation significantly – but it's not the world that we live in and I'm just glad that I'm not making those decisions," she said.

from Lifestyle | Latest Health, Living & Wellness News | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site
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