TRUCK WASH GAPS RAISE BIOSECURITY CONCERNS

The Victorian Farmers Federation is calling for urgent investment in the state’s truck wash network, warning gaps in the system are leaving the livestock industry exposed to exotic disease.

The VFF says closures at Geelong, Warrnambool, Camperdown and Pakenham have significantly reduced the network, with a Victorian Government review finding the nearest working truck wash in Melbourne’s outer west can be up to 140 kilometres away.

The review found dirty trucks are one of the quickest ways to spread an exotic disease, while trailer effluent tanks can overflow within an hour of loading.

VFF Livestock President Scott Young says truck washes are critical to detecting disease and preventing its spread, and that this current situation "really is a biosecurity disaster ticking timebomb waiting to happen.”

The VFF is now seeking new truck washes across western, northern and eastern Melbourne, upgrades to existing facilities and new effluent dump points on key livestock routes.

Mr Young says modelling indicates an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease or African swine fever could cost the industry more than $80 billion.