WITH many Victorians heading outdoors before winter sets in, Victoria\u2019s Chief Veterinary Officer has asked all campers, outdoor adventurers and picnic goers to dispose of the food scraps carefully.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf wild or domestic pigs consume food scraps, it has the potential to introduce exotic animal diseases to Australia,\u201d Dr Charles Milne said.<\/p>\n
Australia was sent a warning earlier this year when pork products seized at the national border tested positive for African swine fever and footand-mouth disease viruses.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not enough to rely on biosecurity inspections to stop potential pests and disease<\/p>\n
threats at the border,\u201d Dr Milne said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBiosecurity is everyone\u2019s responsibility and we all need to help protect our agriculture, our economy and our unique natural environment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr Milne said the act of feeding (intentionally or not intentionally) infected meat scraps to pigs was one of the most likely ways an exotic disease could be introduced to Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is illegal to feed pigs waste food, meat, or animal product infected food, in Australia,\u201d he<\/p>\n
said. \u201cThis is a consideration not just for pig farmers or pet pig owners, but everyone when they\u2019re in an environment where wild or domestic pigs can access their food scraps.\u201d<\/p>\n
To make a disease report, call the all-hours Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WITH many Victorians heading outdoors before winter sets in, Victoria\u2019s Chief Veterinary Officer has asked all campers, outdoor adventurers and picnic goers to dispose of the food scraps carefully. \u201cIf wild or domestic pigs consume food scraps, it has the potential to introduce exotic animal diseases to Australia,\u201d Dr Charles Milne said. Australia was sent […]<\/p>\n