The federal government will spend an extra $2 million on biosecurity with the agriculture minister saying his focus remains on keeping livestock diseases out of Australia.
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Murray Watt will tell a Queensland rural press club audience on Friday the money will support Indonesia's biosecurity response to foot and mouth disease (FMD) and lumpy skin disease (LSD).
Both diseases were discovered on the archipelago of Indonesia earlier this year, prompting a ramping up of Australia's biosecurity system.
"It's worth repeating that Australia remains both FMD and LSD free, but the last few months have illustrated the need for a biosecurity system which is up to contemporary challenges," he will say in a speech to mark national agriculture day.
"And while the gaze of the mainstream may have wandered from the threat of exotic animal diseases like FMD and LSD, our focus on keeping them out of Australia has sharpened."
It's estimated that if FMD entered Australia, it would cause an $80 billion hit to the economy over 10 years.
"Our role as a government is to ensure that not only we continue to protect this industry, but to grow it as well," Mr Watt said on Friday.
"Today, we are celebrating our world class agriculture industry and all of the industries and people who make this possible," he said.
The federal government has committed $134.1 million over four years to boost biosecurity, which includes programs to prevent FMD and LSD entering Australia.
Mr Watt said his government is also committed to livestock traceability.
"Improving traceability both on and off farm provides transparency in the supply chain and reassurance for consumers - and enhances our biosecurity as well."
Australian Associated Press
