WITH official reports of foot and mouth disease in cattle coming out of the tourist mecca of Bali, it has prompted the question of whether there is a need for a three-month moratorium on holidays to the destination to allow Australia's cattle industry to secure vaccines.
The Indonesian Government confirmed 63 cases in Bali at the weekend and implemented livestock travel restrictions.
This week, Global Agritrends international meat analyst Simon Quilty said there were indications the disease was far more widespread in Bali than 63 cases, and had likely been there for some time.
"Indonesian dairy companies have reported a 30 per cent to 50pc drop in milk production in the past two months, and some industry analysis suggests it is as much as 70pc," he said.
"East Java produces 98pc of Bali's milk needs and this has become a major food security issue. It's unstated what has had the enormous impact on milk production, but all signs are pointing to FMD and lumpy skin."
The risk to Australia was intensifying daily and a moratorium was critical to "buy time" to ensure vaccination plans were in place, Mr Quilty said.
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