RURAL CARRIERS URGE GOVERNMENT TO INCLUDE TRANSPORT IN DISEASE RESPONSE PLANNING

The Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association (LBRCA) has met with the Acting Chief Veterinary Officer of Australia to discuss the critical role of transport and logistics in preparing for and responding to a major animal disease outbreak.

The meeting focused on improving communication and information sharing across jurisdictions, maintaining supply chain continuity during disease responses, and ensuring transport operators are involved in planning.

LBRCA President Wade Lewis said everyone was hoping H5 bird flu could be contained, but transport must be treated as a core part of emergency animal disease planning, rather than being brought into the response after key operational decisions have already been made.

“COVID taught us a very good lesson, despite being at the start and end of every movement, road transport was too often an afterthought in planning,” Mr Lewis said.

“In COVID, when borders closed, and movement requirements changed, freight operators were left scrambling to navigate complex rules, permits and requirements across jurisdictions, often with very little notice."

"I want to thank the Department of Agriculture and particularly Dr Smith for taking the time to hear our concerns and engage on these issues. It is a very welcome approach and a positive meeting."

“We cannot afford to repeat the COVID experience in the case of a serious animal disease outbreak," Mr Lewis said.

LBRCA stressed the importance of consistent communication between governments and industry, particularly in matters of zoning, movement controls, and cross-border operations.

“Livestock transport is fundamental to the operation of the agricultural supply chain. If movement controls are introduced without considering how trucks, drivers, saleyards, processors and farms operate in practice, the consequences can extend well beyond transport," Mr Lewis said.

LBRCA said effective disease control must remain the priority, but measures should be designed to protect biosecurity while allowing essential supply chains to continue operating wherever it is safe to do so.

“Disease control and supply chain continuity are not competing objectives. Good planning should deliver both."

“That means clear rules and guidance, consistent communication, workable movement arrangements and early engagement with the people who actually move livestock and agricultural products across the country,” Mr Lewis said.

LBRCA said early involvement of transport would help governments identify practical implementation issues before an emergency, rather than trying to resolve them once restrictions are already in place.

“Transport operators understand the routes, facilities, livestock movements and operational realities that determine whether a response measure will work or if it is impractical,” Mr Lewis said.

“Our objective is straightforward: strong biosecurity, rapid disease control and a response framework that allows agriculture and regional supply chains to recover as quickly as possible.”

LBRCA will continue working with the Australian Government and relevant state agencies to ensure livestock and rural transport operators are incorporated into animal disease preparedness, response and recovery planning.

Find out more at https://www.agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/birdflu or via your state Department of Primary Industries website.