Concern for foot and mouth disease reaching Australia is starting to ramp up.

Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt is flying to Indonesia to assist with efforts to prevent foot and mouth disease reaching Australia.

There are fears tourists could carry the disease to our shores as they return from holidays in Bali.

New South Wales Farmers Head of Policy Annabel Johnson is urging travellers to follow the correct protocols.

Ms Johnson told Chris Smith Aussies must avoid livestock and make sure they clean their clothes and boots thoroughly before coming home.

“These measures are simple but critical.”

Press PLAY below to hear Ms Johnson’s concerns

The NSW Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders joined Deborah Knight on Afternoons, calling for Murray Watt to “really ramp things up”.

“It’s a pretty serious thing but we just need the message to get to the right people right now,” he said.

Mr Saunders is also calling for foot baths in Bali for all passengers boarding a flight to Australia as well as full bag inspections and increased sniffer dog presence at airports.

He also outlined current actions around the spread of the varroa mite in NSW bee populations.

“We’re working on a plan to make sure there will be the availability of pollination,” he said.

“Every part of the horticultural industry is being part of this call … they all want to find a way forward.”

Image: Getty