2023, Volume 26, Paper 3
ISSN: 2209-6612

Irrigated Dairy Farming Enterprises in Victoria, Foot and Mouth Disease, and the Capacity to Manage Biosecurity Risks

Lucia Rochford – School of Agriculture and Food, University of Melbourne.

Abstract

Biosecurity is a significant consideration for Australian farm enterprises. In this paper the risk of Foot and Mouth Disease to enterprises and value chains associated with the Victorian irrigated dairy industry is analysed. Current measures and management policies are assessed, and it is found that they do not consider the potential risks posed by irrigation water moving between farm enterprises. Currently available literature is reviewed, and it is concluded that further research is required to assess the risk posed by irrigation water, and that further consideration should be given to enterprise-level decision-making to align policy, cost, and risk measures more closely with actor incentives.

Key words: Foot and mouth, Victorian dairy, policy perception, biosecurity, value chain, irrigation.

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