Nationals leader David Littleproud has called for the government to introduce footdips for travellers returning from Indonesia to stop the chance of FMD entering Australia.
"Bali is a popular destination for Australians and because the disease is highly transmissible, it could be brought into our country on clothing and footwear which means there should be new biosecurity measures in place at our airports," Mr Littleproud said.
"There should be foot dips for all travellers returning from Bali so that any trace of the disease on the bottom of shoes is stopped at the border."
Indonesian authorities confirmed on Tuesday an outbreak of foot and mouth disease had spread to Bali.
Australia's department of agriculture said frontline biosecurity officers had been operating with increased vigilance across all flights arriving from Indonesia as a result of FMD being detected on the archipelago in May.
"All flights from Indonesia operate with biosecurity profiles automatically flagging higher risk passengers for biosecurity screening."
"Any passengers identified as higher risk (through questioning or the presence of post-arrival indicators) are referred for biosecurity intervention (including baggage inspections)," a department spokesperson told AAP.
President of the farmers' federation Fiona Simson also called for Australia's biosecurity efforts to be stepped up earlier this week.
"The news that FMD has reached Bali has sent a shiver up the spine of Australian farmers, as the risk of it reaching our shores has undoubtedly grown."
"The Australian government must undertake rapid risk analysis to ensure our prevention measures are equal to this new level of risk," said Ms Simson.
Australia's chief vet Dr Mark Schipp told ABC radio on Tuesday that efforts to stop FMD spreading had already increased.
"We've very much increased interventions at the airport...so people returning to Australia can expect to see more use of detector dogs, more targeted interventions and more inspections of their luggage."
He said that if the disease did enter Australia farmers would be compensated.
"This is something that we've been practising and rehearsing for more than 30 years now, and as part of that there are compensation arrangements in place for livestock producers who suffer the disease," he told the ABC.
It's estimated FMD would cost the Australian livestock industry $80 billion if the disease entered Australia.
Foot and mouth disease is a contagious viral disease of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs with severe consequences for animal health and trade.
Australia is free from FMD.
The department of agriculture said there is an FMD vaccine available if there is an incursion in Australia.
Anyone keeping or working with cattle, sheep, goats or pigs should be aware of the signs which include blisters on the mouth and drooling or limping animals.
17°C