Graziers living on Australia's northernmost frontier say they are deeply concerned about the threat of the devastating foot-and-mouth disease being brought into the area by tourists.
The route to the northernmost tip of the Australian mainland on Cape York Peninsula has long been a bucket-list favourite for visitors, with thousands of travellers hitting the red dirt with their caravans and on organised tours each year.
Cape York grazier Emma Jackson, who runs about 3,000 cattle at the family's Wolverton Station property, said she was worried tourists could unknowingly bring in the highly contagious animal virus that spreads through livestock such as cattle, sheep, pigs and goats.
She said she would be increasing farm biosecurity measures, including placing signage on fences and gates leading in to her vast property, which spans thousands of hectares in the middle of the Cape.
"The challenge is about 60 kilometres of our property is on the main road. You can't police every single person who comes into the place or along the place," Ms Jackson said.
"We need people who are coming back from Indonesia and Bali to take responsibility. If they are going to rural properties they need to be vigilant.
"We also need to work with tourist operators and get them asking their group if anyone has been to Bali."
She asked visitors to the area to not drive in to properties uninvited.
"Please don't go trespassing. If you see a road don't go down it, because you could be bringing risks into that property," she said.
Porous border with PNG
Foot-and-mouth-disease has been detected in Bali, prompting strict new biosecurity screening of passengers at international airports in Australia.
Off the tip of Cape York lies Australia's Torres Strait Islands, which share a porous border with Papua New Guinea — Indonesia's neighbour.
Biosecurity Queensland chief veterinary officer Allison Crook said concern among primary producers in the north about the threat of the disease reaching Australia was understandable.
"In terms of a response policy we've got very detailed, well-rehearsed response plans and arrangements in place," Dr Crook said.
"We have a team of biosecurity officers across the north that are working closely with industry and also undertaking surveillance.
"We're also working with the Northern Australia Biosecurity Surveillance network and there's a network of private vets across the north.
"Look for lameness, they may have drooling or a lot of saliva coming from their mouths. People need to familiarise themselves and know the signs."
Support for mass feral pig cull
North Queensland MP Robbie Katter has called for the urgent culling of feral pigs in Cape York, which he estimates to be in the millions.
He said $20 million was immediately needed for a mass aerial shooting and baiting program in order to stop the potential spread of foot-and-mouth disease through feral pig populations.
"It's a matter of extreme urgency that we do everything we can to remove, or at least try and mitigate the risks associated with the spreading of food-and-mouth disease," Mr Katter said.
Ms Jackson said she was supportive of a mass feral pig culling program.
"Feral pigs are destroying the country, they are bringing in diseases and weeds," she said.
"Something absolutely has to be done."
Dr Crook said existing research showed feral pigs were unlikely to play a significant role in spreading the disease.
"That's due to a number of factors about how the virus behaves in pigs," Dr Crook said.
"However, feral pigs remain a potential risk and they need to be considered in any response or eradication program."
