Q28 (a)

Criteria	Marks
Details potential effects of foot-and-mouth disease spreading to Australia, including direct agricultural effects and indirect effects on other sectors such as the economy.	3
Outlines potential effects, including direct agricultural or indirect effects on other sectors.	2
Provides some relevant information.	1

Sample answer:

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) would have an effect on animal welfare. FMD can cause painful lesions on the feet and mouth of infected animals, leading to reduced feed intake, lameness, and suffering. FMD has no cure. If the disease enters Australia, methods of preventing its spread, such as destroying infecting animals, would be very expensive and disruptive to the livestock industry. There would be a reduction in meat and dairy production. Australia is a major exporter of livestock and animal products. If FMD were to spread, it could lead to a ban on these exports from infected regions, causing significant economic losses to the agricultural industry. This would affect farmers, processors, exporters, and related industries. Even after the outbreak is contained, it might take time for Australia to regain the trust of trading partners and re-establish market access for its livestock products. Marker’s comment: FMD is not transmitted to humans in infected meat. It only infects cloven-hoofed animals (those with divided hooves). ie. Cattle, sheep, goats, pigs. Students perhaps confusing FMD with hand, foot and mouth disease which does affect humans.