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www.poultrynews.com.au National Poultry Newspaper, January 2025 %u2013 Page 7%u00a9 Kemin Industries, Inc. and its group of companies 2024. All rights reserved. %u00ae %u2122 Trademarks of Kemin Industries, Inc., U.S.A.Certain statements may not be applicable in all geographic regions. Product labeling and associated claims may differ based upon regulatory requirements.%u201cHEALTH GUARD%u201d is a pioneering program that takes a tailored approach to livestock management, acknowledging the unique challenges faced by different species. This initiative is genuinely committed to addressing the key pain points and combines several layers of protection to avoid losses to our industry. Protection against diseases and stressorswithout the use of antiboticsHEALTH GUARDKemin (Australia) Pty. LimitedPhone: +61 2 9844 5700 Email: australia@kemin.com / greg.heeney@kemin.comwww.kemin.comWhen an outbreak of an EAD is confirmed, the state or territory authority will quarantine the infected property immediately. Some major diseases of concern for poultry include avian influenza and exotic Newcastle disease.There are many diseases that would have a serious impact if an outbreak were to occur. AN outbreak of a seri- ous emergency animal disease can be disas- trous for producers, causing significant personal stress and anguish as well as fi- nancial hardship. The livestock industries can lose sales opportunities both domestically and internationally in the wake of a damaged reputation for our produce, and the broader Australian economy could lose billions in trade and employment.What is an emergency animal disease?Diseases such as footand-mouth disease and mad cow disease are obvious examples of EADs. However, the definition also includes unusual severe outbreaks of established diseases that may cause sudden trade disruptions, such as the 1997 anthrax outbreaks in Victoria. It also includes new diseases where it is not immediately apparent what the disease is, such as the occurrence of Hendra virus in Queensland in 1994.Under the Australian EAD Response Agreement, listed EADs must meet one or more of the following criteria:%u2022 Known disease that does not occur in Australia and for which it is considered to be in the national interest for the country to be free%u2022 A variation of an endemic disease which, if it became widespread here, would have a national impact%u2022 A serious infectious disease of unknown or uncertain cause, which may be an entirely new disease%u2022 A known endemic disease occurring in such a severe outbreak form that an emergency response is required to ensure there is neither a large-scale epidemic of national significance or serious loss of market access.What are the main emergency animal diseases that could affect my property?There are a number of different types of diseases that are not present in Australian livestock. Some major diseases of concern for poultry include avian influenza and exotic Newcastle disease.There are many other diseases that would have a serious impact if an outbreak were to occur. For a full list of diseases in the Australian veterinary emergency plan, see the AHA website.Good farm biosecurity should be used to protect your livestock from the risks of an EAD.What happens in an emergency animal disease outbreak?Generally, Australian policy is to eradicate any introduced exotic animal disease as quickly as possible. This could involve:%u2022 Establishment of disease control zones, quarantine and movement controls%u2022 Possible destruction and disposal of infected and exposed animals%u2022 Decontamination of infected premises, vehicles, equipment and animal products%u2022 Surveillance of susceptible animals%u2022 Restriction of the activities of certain enterprises.The disease may also be controlled through vaccination, campaigns to control disease carriers, animal treatment and wild animal control. Infected and diseasefree zones are established to contain the disease and retain business continuity in disease-free areas.Controlling and eradicating EADs is done using the guidelines in Ausvetplan, a coordinated national response plan. As each state and territory is responsible for controlling and eradicating animal disease locally, each has its own emergency disease control legislation which supports the national guidelines.What happens to me in an emergency animal disease outbreak?The more serious the outbreak, the more impact it could have on you and your family. An outbreak of a disease such as FMD, where heavy restrictions are placed on moving stock, can have a serious effect on families. On some properties, all movement %u2013 people as well as animals %u2013 may be temporarily restricted, creating problems for school and work. Longer term restrictions can significantly affect businesses due to reduced trading opportunities.Prevention is definitely better than cure. Good farm biosecurity practices will lower the risks of disease entering your property.If my property is affected, will my livestock be destroyed?Whether livestock need to be destroyed %u2013 or for that matter, livestock products or other materials %u2013 depends on the disease and its nature.Your local authority working under the state or territory emergency response plan would make the decision about your stock in the event of an infection on your property. Compensation is available for stock lost due to an EAD or destroyed by the authority to prevent disease spread.For details of reportable diseases, visit agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/pests-diseases-weeds/animal/notifiableCan I leave my property during a disease outbreak?Without realising, people can spread disease on their clothing, footwear and vehicles or even on their skin or nasal passages.Many diseases can survive long periods outside their obvious host and can hitch a ride to another location.For this reason, if you suspect a serious disease in your stock, don%u2019t leave your property or allow anyone else to do so until an inspector has discussed with you what you must do to prevent disease spread. Once a process is in place, which may include managing movement and disinfecting clothing and equipment, you will generally be allowed to leave.Can I move stock during a disease outbreak?If you are aware of an outbreak of an EAD, you must not move any stock around your property or to other places Guide to emergency animal disease responses* continued P8