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For the first time since 2019, the Royal Adelaide Show has opened this morning.

After a two-year COVID-hiatus, Show organisers are this year having to adopt strict additional biosecurity measures, including foot mats for patrons, to minimise the risk of exotic diseases spreading to livestock.

The Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society (RA&HS) and the South Australian Department for Primary Industries are urging Showgoers to wear clean footwear and clothes to the event and not to touch or feed the animals in the pavilions unless expressly allowed.

People who have been overseas in the past seven days are advised not to enter livestock pavilions.

Citric acid foot mats, similar to those rolled out at Australian airports, are also be in place at the Showgrounds entrances for patrons to disinfect their shoes, while boot cleaning facilities will be in place for producers and judges who have regular contact with animals.

In a statement, RA&HS Chief Executive, John Rothwell advised "the welfare of all animals at the Show is of utmost importance to all involved, exhibitors, councillors and staff.

“To demonstrate good biosecurity practices, the Royal Show has increased its biosecurity measures, which include the addition of citric-acid foot mats at all public entrances, boot cleaning facilities in livestock areas and increased signage around the Showground.”

Animal health experts will also be conducting regular health checks on the animals on display.

Emphasising that the risk of foot and mouth disease spreading at the Show is considered “very low” but that the measures are in place as a precaution, South Australian Primary Industries Minister, Clare Scriven added "biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility. I call on every South Australian to do their bit to keep our agricultural industries, including our animals, safe.

“This doesn’t just apply at the Show, but whenever you’re visiting a farm, hiking on trails through farmland, or visiting an agricultural school.”

Foot and mouth disease is not transmittable to humans but affects all cloven-hoofed animals including cattle, sheep and pigs and represents a significant threat to Australia’s livestock industry.

The disease was detected in Indonesia in May, prompting stringent biosecurity measures at Australian airports for returning travellers. Viral fragments of the disease were detected at Adelaide Airport in June.

Held annually by the RA&HS, the Royal Adelaide Show is the longest-running event on South Australia's calendar.

The Royal Adelaide Show runs over nine-days event until Sunday 11th September.

Image: Royal Adelaide Show/Facebook.

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