The recent detection of Foot and Mouth Disease in Indonesia is the closest it has been to Australian shores in over 100 years, sending Australia's agricultural industry into high alert. 

The $80 billion threat this disease poses to the livestock industry has prompted the National Farmers Federation to launch a new campaign aimed at rewarding travellers for discarding their dirty shoes.  

The National Farmers Federation have announced that travellers returning from Indonesia can now access a 30% Ringers Western discount code, by posting evidence online that they’ve binned their shoes overseas. The #ThrowYourThongs is hoped to raise awareness and encourage anyone travelling to Indonesia to think twice before packing their bag to come home.  

“Before you pack your bag to come home, take the time to give your shoes a good clean – paying particular attention to any mud that might be caught in the tread," said president of the NFF, Ms Fiona Simson. 

“Taking that minute to clean your shoes could prevent a serious disaster back in Australia. Clean shoes are just a bonus. 

“Most importantly, don’t head straight back to a farm when you get off the plane – we need to keep our country safe,” Ms Simson concluded. 

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is one of the most serious virus diseases of animals, and is highly contagious. It affects cloven-hoofed animals (those with divided hoofs), including cattle, buffalo, camels, sheep, goats, deer and pigs. 

The arrival of this disease in Australia could mean a loss of production in meat and milk, the cessation of trade and could require the mass slaughter of animals. The flow on effect to farming households and communities would be harrowing.  

Although the Department of Agriculture, fisheries and forestry says the risk to Australia remains low in the absence of close contact between animals or the importation of infected products, NSW Farmers President, Mr James Jackson says the need for the implementation of strict biosecurity measures has never been more important.  

“We cannot rely on treatment alone with FMD – prevention is the only way to keep us safe," said Mr Jackson.  



NSW Farmers Biosecurity Committee Chair Ian McColl is grateful to the government for listening to the industries concerns, but warns that a higher degree of urgency is needed. 

“More signage, more detector dogs, more announcements on flights from Indonesia, these are all good things,” Mr McColl said. 

“However, we are still highly-exposed to the $80 billion threat FMD poses to Australian agriculture." 

The CWA of NSW have also been vocal about the issue, with President Joy Beames urging Australians to support the work of the government.  

“Australia is currently free from FMD, and our priority is to keep it that way,” she said. 

“Biosecurity is everyone’s issue because the costs go far beyond the farm gate. When talking about foot-and-mouth disease we are looking at a threat to a $100 billion-dollar Australian industry, a threat that could have people lose their whole livelihoods, almost overnight."  

The National Farmers Federation say that spreading the word to travellers from metropolitan areas and placing continued pressure on the government to ramp up biosecurity measures will help to prevent the spread of this disease. 

To receive a 30% Ringers Western discount code, travellers are asked to post a selfie binning their shoes while on holiday, using the hashtag #ThrowYourThongs and tagging in the National Farmers’ Federation. A code will be sent to the first 500 posters. Offer ends 20 July 2022.