The Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt has fired back at the Liberal Party’s criticism of his apparent inaction on foot and mouth disease biosecurity. 

“These guys were in power for nearly ten years, we saw several outbreaks of foot and mouth disease on their watch, they never did any of the things that they are now demanding we do,” he told Jim Wilson on Drive.

“We’re not on the sidelines throwing rocks and scaring people. What’s endangering our agriculture industry is the claims that members of the opposition are making that are being read and seen all around the world. ”

The Minister also defended the Commonwealth’s current action on the outbreak and compared it to the response of previous Governments.

“Some of these things we are doing have never been done in Australian history,” he said.

“Declaring these biosecurity zones in airports … never been done. No government in Australia has ever put down these foot mats before despite outbreaks in other countries, so we are leading here.”

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The Shadow Agriculture Minister David Littleproud also joined Jim Wilson to respond to Murray Watt’s comments.

“It’s all too little too late, he’s had three weeks to put these measures in place,” he said.

“The only reason there’s politics being played is because he’s been indecisive … and unfortunately he’s left us exposed.”

Mr Littleproud is also questioning what the trigger point is that would see Australia close the border.

“The Minister should tell us,” he said.

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Image: Getty/Tracey Nearmy