1
Australia’s readiness to prevent a disastrous African swine fever outbreak has been strengthened with deployment of a detector dog capable of sniffing out potential threats in Darwin, as part of the Liberal and Nationals Government efforts to guard against a biosecurity breach.
Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie and Northern Territory Senator Dr Sam McMahon said Suki—an experienced biosecurity Labrador transferred from Norfolk Island to reinforce prevention measures at Darwin Airport—was helping screen international passengers and cargo arriving from countries where African swine fever was already having a devastating impact.
“African swine fever—potentially the biggest animal disease event the world has ever seen—is moving nearer to Australia and in September reached our near neighbour Timor Leste,” Minister McKenzie said.
“It could deal a heavy blow to our $5.3 billion pork industry, as well as the 36,000 jobs that depend on it in rural and regional communities.
Friday October 11, 2019/ Australian Government/ Austalia.
https://minister.agriculture.gov.au
