Foot-and-mouth disease: ‘biosecurity response zones’ could be set up at airports in Australian first

Agriculture minister says powers to require travellers to comply with biosecurity rules could be used as early as Friday

• Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates
• Get our free news app, morning email briefing and daily news podcast

The Albanese government is mulling the use of powers to set up biosecurity response zones" at airports to combat foot-and-mouth disease, an Australian first.

The agriculture minister, Murray Watt, revealed the powers could be used as early as Friday to require international travellers to comply with directions including to remove their shoes and walk over sanitation mats.