The Australian government will provide USD 1.5 million for Indonesia in response to the current Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak. Following a formal request for support from the Indonesian government, the funds will supply at least 1 million FMD doses for the country’s vaccination program.
Indonesia’s vaccination program aims to help the small-holder farming sector, which accounts for roughly 90% of the country’s cattle industry. This aid is in addition to Australia’s existing pledge of 435,000 Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) vaccine doses, which are now being delivered to impacted Indonesian provinces.
The Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry had discussed Australia’s support with the Indonesian Minister for Agriculture. The minister also met with the Head of the Indonesian National Disaster Management Authority and the Chief of the Indonesian Task Force for Foot and Mouth Disease to exchange Australian expertise on emergency disease management and biosecurity. The Australian government is limiting FMD incursions in two ways: first, by enhancing biosecurity controls at the Australian border, and second, by supporting efforts to stop the spread elsewhere.
The Australian government has also pledged an initial USD 500,000 to Meat and Livestock Australia, which coordinates industry support for the Indonesian feedlot sector’s emergency response to these diseases.
(Source: Minister for Foreign Affairs Government of Australia)
