Image Source: ALFA
When it comes to animal disease outbreaks – the most pressing threats to the Australian cattle industry right now are Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) and Foot-and Mouth Disease (FMD).
The confirmation of both diseases in Indonesia, Australia’s closest neighbour, in May 2022 prompted the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) to develop industry-leading biosecurity practices and preparedness, including training.
ALFA’s Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Biosecurity Project was designed to strengthen industry’s biosecurity capability to help ensure the industry is better placed to prevent, detect and respond to an EAD incursion, and to recover more quickly if one occurs.
One component of the project was implementing the existing Liaison-Livestock Industry (LLI) training as a requirement of the National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme (NFAS), to help feedlot staff understand the EAD frameworks that are in place in Australia.
What is an LLI?
In recognition of the severity that an EAD incursion would have on the Australian economy, Australia has existing EAD frameworks in place.
This framework comprises of the Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA) or the Deed which sets out cost sharing arrangements between Government and industry on how EAD responses will be managed.
Importantly EADRA also outlines an EAD management response and decision framework that brings industry and government together, which includes Liaison-Livestock Industry or (LLI), when managing an EAD incursion.
The LLI is a formal industry role representing the feedlot sector during a cost-shared EAD response, working alongside other local supply chain representatives in a regional or local Control Centre. These positions are vital for both affected feedlots and the broader industry, ensuring that local knowledge and practical feedlot expertise inform response decisions.
However, ALFA’s CEO, Christian Mulders, explained this does not mean that feedlot staff who complete the online LLI training, now part of NFAS, will automatically participate in a Control Centre response.
“Completing the online course doesn’t mean a lotfeeder will have to leave their feedlot and work in a Control Centre – it simply gives them a clearer understanding of what will happen and how an EAD will be managed, so they are better prepared for their own operations,” Mr Mulders said.
“For feedlot staff who want to step-up and participate in a local Control Centre during a response, completing the online LLI training is the first step.
“Representing the industry as an LLI during a response brings local and industry expertise into the decision-making process.
“Many people involved won’t know the intricacies of feedlot operations -being part of that local decision-making process ensures practical, informed decisions will be made.
“EADs are serious – they have widespread impacts on our industry and economy. The better prepared we are, both as individual feedlots and as an industry, the faster we can return to trade.”
LLI is one part of broader enhanced biosecurity preparedness
Since 2022 ALFA has worked to develop an enhanced biosecurity preparedness system to give lotfeeders the tools, plans and training to handle an EAD outbreak.
As was outlined in its report this week – ALFA’s EAD Biosecurity Project: Strengthening Australia’s Readiness for Emergency Animal Disease – the LLI is one component of preparedness, as well as having a feedlot-specific EAD action plan and Destruction, Disposal and Decontamination (DDD) plan.
By embedding these tools into everyday operations, it is preparing the feedlot sector to be able to respond quickly, limit impacts and maintain a resilient pathway back to trade.
“LLI training is now part of the National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme, ensuring each accredited feedlot has an EAD lead and embedding biosecurity best practice into everyday operations,” Mr Mulders said.
“When feedlots have their biosecurity and EAD plans in place, along with a trained lead working with government, they are central to the decision-making process.
“This ensures their interests are represented and supports a faster return to normal operations.”
Resources
ALFA’s biosecurity hub has been designed to be a one-stop-shop for lotfeeders to find contact numbers, training, tools and information on best biosecurity practices, including templates for:
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