The VFF is urging the Victorian Government to consider a complete overhaul of the state’s truck wash network to plug major gaps in Victoria’s biosecurity preparedness safety net.
VFF livestock president Scott Young said the recent closure of the truck wash facility at the Pakenham saleyards has exposed how fragile the state network is.
“Our biosecurity safety net is only as strong as its weakest point and with the closure of the Pakenham facility, we’re left vulnerable.
“Truck washes are a vital part of keeping of our industry safe and detecting any potential threats. In the event of an emergency animal disease, the need for an efficient and effective truck wash network would be central to a statewide response.”
The closure of the Pakenham site follows the closure of the Warrnambool and Camperdown truck washes in recent months.
Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, says these closures have left a substantial gap in coverage.
“The previous network worked because, although the number of sites was relatively low, their placement gave good geographical coverage, like the knots in a net,” she said.
“The closure of the Warrnambool and Camperdown truck washes leaves a gaping hole in that net. The Warrnambool saleyard facility was particularly crucial.”
McArthur says that with south-west Victoria being the heart of the state’s dairy and livestock industries, it “cannot afford this neglect”.
“These vital sites kept livestock disease at bay, and their loss leaves farmers facing longer trips, higher costs, and increased risks of disease spread,” she said.
While Young added that metropolitan Melbourne is a major route for truck movements, so it makes sense to establish more truck washes on key arterials, such as the Western Ring Road or Hume Highway.
“There’s arguably no bigger threat to Australian agriculture than a large-scale biosecurity outbreak. We see investing in this infrastructure as insurance to help protect our multi-billion dollar industry,” he said.
And McArthur agreed, “Farmers pay substantial biosecurity levies and yet the infrastructure those funds are meant to support is crumbling,” she said. “This neglect is a slap in the face to the hardworking farmers who keep our economy moving.
“The government must act now to conduct a rapid review of the truck wash network, along with immediate investment to plug the gaps. Our farmers deserve better, and our biosecurity demands it.”
In addition to new truck wash facilities, the VFF has outlined a raft of recommendations to government:
- The implementation of a best practice ‘guide’ for trucks washes including minimum standards and guidelines.
- Further work undertaken to better understand the role truck washes have within AUSVETPLAN and how the truck wash network could be utilised in the event of an EAD outbreak.
- Scoping of a new facility as well as dedicated effluent management within the greater Melbourne area and dedicated government funding to maintain and upgrade existing truck washes.
- The development (through consultation with the wider industry) of a site-specific needs analysis for a new facility to be built in an area/areas that meets the needs of livestock, livestock transports and the processing sector.
- Ensuring that a new facility uses the latest technology to enable best practice biosecurity.
Agriculture Victoria, with the support of the Cattle, Sheep and Goat, and Swine Compensation Committees via the Livestock Biosecurity Fund Grant Program, recently engaged RMCG Consulting Group (RMCG) to prepare a report on the adequacy of the existing network of publicly accessible livestock truck wash and effluent dump facilities in Victoria.
Representing agriculture, biosecurity, regulation and compliance within the Victorian Government’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), Agriculture Victoria says it is continuing to work with stakeholders to support their efforts in maintaining an adequate network of livestock truck washes throughout the state.
However as this report was prepared prior to the recent truck wash closures, Agriculture Victoria admits that as a result, the situation has changed.
A spokesperson told Big Rigs, “Agriculture Victoria is engaging with key industry bodies about a consultant’s report on the adequacy of the existing network of publicly accessible livestock truck wash and effluent dump facilities in Victoria.
“We value the recommendations from the Victorian Farmers Federation and will continue to work closely with key industry groups to progress this work to better understand gaps in the truck wash network in Victoria and identify sustainable options.”
However McArthur believes that more needs to be done – and fast. She has called on the Minister for Agriculture to undertake a new and rapid review of the network and commit to build adequate new facilities where substantial gaps are found.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence MP says work is being done, including writing to key stakeholders to seek their views regarding options for addressing any gaps in Victoria’s truck wash network; contacting the Colac and Mortlake saleyards seeking advice on the capacity and throughputs of their truck wash facilities; and writing to Warrnambool City Council and the City of Greater Geelong seeking advice on the future of their truck washes.
McArthur commented, “This lacklustre response will be of little comfort to farmers – stakeholders are already telling me something must be done, and writing letters isn’t going to solve the problem. The Minister needs to act now.”