The federal government has outlined a multimillion-dollar package to help prevent foot and mouth disease arriving in Australia amid concerns an outbreak could wipe out parts of its agriculture sector.
Agriculture Minister Murray Watt says $14 million (US$9.5 million) will be spent on combating the spread of the disease in Australia and overseas.
Of that, $5 million will go towards on-the-ground measures in Indonesia, Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea, including technical assistance and epidemiological support.
A further $9 million will be spent on 18 new biosecurity officers to be stationed at Australian airports and mail centres, as well as detector dogs in Cairns and Darwin….