Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is considered one of Australia’s greatest biosecurity risks. Please refer to the below Frequently Asked Questions about Achmea Australia’s response and how we are helping to protect agricultural communities, support our farmers and protect their animals.

How is Achmea Australia responding to Foot and Mouth Disease?
The detection of FMD in Indonesia and Bali is a serious concern.

As Australia’s specialist farm insurer, we are monitoring the latest advice and developments regarding FMD.

We will provide further information if and when the situation changes.

As a precaution, to help protect our farmers and agricultural communities, Achmea Australia’s employees who have travelled from FMD-infected areas (currently Indonesia and Bali) to Australia will not undertake any farm visits for at least seven days from the day of their return (this includes all livestock-related facilities and agricultural events).

Employees who have travelled back from FMD-infected areas are also encouraged to dispose of any footwear to further reduce the risk of exposure, with Achmea Australia providing reimbursement to employees for any reasonable costs incurred.

These precautions reflect our ongoing commitment to protect agricultural communities, support our farmers and protect their animals.

Prepare and reduce the risk of FMD
With FMD a growing concern for Australia’s agricultural sector, it is important to take the time that you and your farm are well prepared.

For key resources on FMD, including information on how to prepare an on-farm biosecurity plan, please refer to the information compiled by the National Farmers Federation.

Further information on industry compensation in the event of an FMD outbreak in Australia
For further information about management and funding arrangements, we encourage farmers to contact their industry body and/or Animal Health Australia. The Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA) is an agreement between all state and territory governments, the Australian government and livestock industry bodies which enables a response to FMD if there is an outbreak in Australia.

Will Achmea Australia cover any claims arising from or related to FMD?
We assess all claims in accordance with the terms, conditions and exclusions in our All-in-One Farm Pack Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).

Foot and mouth disease is excluded under our general exclusions in our All-in-One Farm Pack.

As such, if a claim arises or is related to FMD, this exclusion applies, and our policy would not respond.

However, our clients always have the right to lodge a claim and have their individual circumstances reviewed before a decision on coverage is made.

For more information and to understand what is included and excluded from your policy with Achmea Australia, please refer to the relevant PDS which is available from the ‘Downloads’ section of our website, or contact us if you have any questions about your cover.

Reporting
If you see anything that raises concern or you suspect that animals are showing signs of foot and mouth disease, please report it immediately to the national Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.

If you have a question for us and the answer is not listed here, please email us at [email protected] or call us on 1800 724 214 and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

We are here to assist.

Disclaimer
Insurance issued by Achmea Schadeverzekeringen N.V. (Achmea) ABN 86 158 237 702 AFSL 433984.

Achmea Australia does not warrant that the information contained herein is accurate, reliable, complete or up to date, and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, disclaims all liability of Achmea Australia and its Associates for any loss or damage suffered by any person by reason of the use by that person of, or their reliance on, any information contained in this document or any error or defect in on this document, whether arising from the negligence of Achmea Australia or its Associates or otherwise.