Victorian hobby farmers are sharing how they are safeguarding the state against emergency animal diseases by implementing biosecurity measures in their backyards.
Minister for Agriculture Gayle Tierney today launched the Andrews Labor Government's 'Biosecurity - it's up to all of us' campaign, which features a series of videos from four small-scale landholders, demonstrating the critical role everyone has in protecting Victoria's biodiversity from disease threats.
The campaign includes Lynda who operates a young and progressive alpaca and miniature donkey stud in Belgrave South, utilising important biosecurity practices to keep her animals safe on 20 acres of highly productive pasture.
Erica breeds Scottish Highland cattle on a five-acre farm in Traralgon, and her featured video not only highlights her dedication to keeping her cattle safe, but also emphasises her efforts in connecting people with learning disabilities to nature and agriculture.
The initiative also features Nat and Jono's regenerative farm in Blampied - where they are raising British White cattle, Berkshire pigs, and Finn sheep, while Rhonda in Drouin keeps a variety of specialty goat breeds.
With Victoria's vibrant agriculture industry being the backbone of the state's economy, protecting livestock and the broader community from threats such as foot-and-mouth disease and lumpy skin disease is paramount.
The advertising campaign will run across various platforms, including newspapers, radio, websites, and social media, ensuring broad coverage across Victoria.
For more information about the campaign and biosecurity measures, please visit the Agriculture Victoria website at agriculture.vic.gov.au/backyardbiosecurity and subscribe to the 'Backyard Biosecurity' newsletter.
Biosecurity and emergency animal disease preparedness is a top priority for the Labor Government. In the Victorian Budget 2023/24, an investment of $17.4 million will continue to strengthen our emergency animal disease preparedness, bringing to the total investment over the past 12 months to $43 million.
As stated by Minister for Agriculture Gayle Tierney
"Biosecurity is up to everyone. All landholders and people with livestock can take simple steps to protect their animals from diseases, which in turn protects communities, commercial farms and the agriculture industry."
"This campaign will shine a spotlight on Victorian lifestyle farmers valuable contributions and inspire others to implement biosecurity measures on their own properties."
"With diseases like foot-and-mouth disease and lumpy skin disease on Australia's doorstep, we must all work together to strengthen Victoria's preparedness for emergency animal diseases and protect the future of our agricultural industry."
