Hypothetical example: a potential emergency animal disease (EAD) on a farm

In this hypothetical example you:

are a Tasmanian farmer with a commercial pig farm
have neighbouring farms that have a range of different animals including pigs

While moving pigs around the farm you notice some of the pigs have breathing difficulties and patches of blotchy red skin. You decide to monitor the pigs and notice that later in the day some of the pigs have lost their appetite.

General Biosecurity Duty (GBD) Actions and Outcomes

Meeting your GBD

Below are SOME examples that show how taking action to meet your GBD can have positive outcomes:

Actions	Expected outcomes
At the first signs of illness you call a veterinarian to have the sick pigs checked. You refer to your biosecurity plan and implement strict personal and farm hygiene, measures. Clothing, footwear, machinery and equipment is cleaned to minimise the spread of pests or disease. You make sure the sick pigs are isolated and kept separated from other stock. You limit the entry of other people (i.e. friends and neighbours) to your farm due to the undiagnosed animal health issue, and employ good hygiene practices for farm visitors.	A rapid diagnosis is made by the veterinarian. The chances of spreading a potential emergency animal disease (EAD) or other diseases to other parts of the farm or neighbouring farms is minimised. You meet your GBD obligations and help to protect your business, the broader industry and the Tasmanian economy.

Actions

Expected outcomes

At the first signs of illness you call a veterinarian to have the sick pigs checked.
You refer to your biosecurity plan and implement strict personal and farm hygiene, measures. Clothing, footwear, machinery and equipment is cleaned to minimise the spread of pests or disease.
You make sure the sick pigs are isolated and kept separated from other stock.
You limit the entry of other people (i.e. friends and neighbours) to your farm due to the undiagnosed animal health issue, and employ good hygiene practices for farm visitors.

A rapid diagnosis is made by the veterinarian.
The chances of spreading a potential emergency animal disease (EAD) or other diseases to other parts of the farm or neighbouring farms is minimised.
You meet your GBD obligations and help to protect your business, the broader industry and the Tasmanian economy.

NOT meeting your GBD

Below are SOME examples that show how NOT taking action to meet your GBD can have negative outcomes.

Actions

Expected outcomes

You do not call in a veterinarian to assess the sick pigs.
You allow neighbours to visit the farm and do not let them know that you have sick animals on the property.
You do not remove and isolate potentially unwell animals.
You are not aware of the potential diseases that can affect your livestock.

The disease spreads rapidly on the farm and the chance of disease transmission to neighbouring properties greatly increases.
You and the surrounding primary producers suffer significant production losses
The Tasmanian (and Australian) economy, primary industries, and environment may suffer significant losses due to disease outbreaks especially from Emergency Animal Diseases.
Failure to seek veterinary assistance and report notifiable animal diseases may lead to legal proceedings.

What you can do to meet your GBD

If you own agricultural land, or are involved in the agricultural and livestock industry, have a biosecurity plan in place for the management of your farm and livestock
Know what animal diseases may affect your livestock
Know how to mitigate risks, and manage potentially unwell animals
At the first sign of disease seek advice from your veterinarian if you are concerned.

Know your GBD - Related GBD Profiles

Please note that this information contains minimum recommendations only. The GBD requires a person dealing with biosecurity matter or a carrier to take all reasonable and practicable measures to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk associated with the dealing. Such measures may not be specified in any regulations, guidelines or other official publications.