01-2010 - Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Outbreak in the Republic of Korea (South Korea)

Other formats

This information is also available in the following formats:

Advice to Agents – Seaports – 01/2010

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Outbreak in the Republic of Korea (South Korea)

Shipping Agents / Operators,

As you may be aware, an outbreak of FMD has recently occurred in the Republic of Korea (South Korea). The purpose of this advice is to notify Shipping Agents of the Seaports Program’s response to the recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) in the Republic of Korea.

As a result of an FMD outbreak in the UK in 2000/2001, the Seaports Program significantly increased its quarantine intervention and implemented a range of strict measures to strengthen controls at Australian ports. These measures are now a routine part of the pratique inspection and subsequent intervention.

The following routine measures are currently in place to address the range of risks associated with vessels arriving in Australia from overseas. These include: 

  • 100 % intervention of all first port vessels
  • Targeted inspection of vessels, goods and crew
  • Treatment of risk material as required
  • Surveillance of the wharf environment and vessels
  • Strict management of Quarantine waste from vessels.

Shipping Agents and Operators should note that the Republic of Korea is no longer classified by the OIE (Office International des Epizooties) as a country free from Foot and Mouth disease.

AQIS Seaports staff will continue to implement measures as detailed above, and in line with routine procedures, paying particular attention to vessels and crew (and their effects) from the Republic of Korea.

Implementation of these arrangements is effective immediately.

Australia has successfully kept FMD out of the country for more than 135 years and works stringently to maintain Australia’s FMD free status. Further information regarding AQIS's response to FMD can be found at http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/travel/entering-australia/FMD.

Should you have further queries, please contact Seaports Operations Manager Stephen Tognolini on 02 6272 3933.


Wayne Terpstra
National Program Manager
Seaports
8 January 2010

Last reviewed:
02 Feb 2010
Contact:
Email Seaports
About DAFF Biosecurity and Contact details
Media Inquiries