The Victorian Farmers Federation has urged farmers to remain vigilant and ensure they have the information and resources needed to strengthen biosecurity measures on their farms.
The VFF said more preparation was needed for the potential arrival of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, which has the ability to devastate Victoria’s poultry industry and native wildlife.
VFF Vice-President Danyel Cucinotta said additional action to bolster biosecurity measures was part of a greater shared responsibility.
“While government action is crucial, farmers must also remain vigilant and assess their own biosecurity processes and systems,” Ms Cucinotta said.
“It’s important that farmers review their infrastructure and consider potential modifications to reduce the risk of disease entering or spreading within their operations.”
Ms Cucinotta said farmers should not become complacent and said the VFF was taking proactive and collaborative steps with the government.
“The VFF is working closely with the Victorian Government and has established a working group with the Victorian Chief Veterinary Officer to assess the state's current preparedness,” Ms Cucinotta said.
“This working group will review the recent H7 outbreak in western Victoria, identifying gaps and offering suggestions for improved response protocols.
“This work will provide the insights we need to enhance our biosecurity practices and ensure rapid and effective responses to any future threats.”
Ms Cucinotta said that although the VFF welcomed government engagement with industry, support for farmers needed to be ‘clear, consistent and well-resourced’ given that the poultry industry was the country’s first line of defence.
“It’s all about learning lessons from the past and applying them to future plans,” she said.
“We can’t afford not to; given that the recent outbreak cost tens of millions and decimated local farmers, we need to plan today.”
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