Mornings host Liam Bartlett has implored Agriculture Minister Murray Watt to take the foot and mouth threat to Australia's $27 billion livestock industry seriously.

After giving foot baths the cold shoulder on 6PR Mornings last Friday, Watt changed tune somewhat on Wednesday, with new sanitation foot mats to be installed at all Australian airports, starting with Darwin and Cairns this week.

"Honestly, are we doing everything we can to keep foot and mouth out of Australia?" Bartlett asked, suggesting the federal government was "dragging its feet" over the issue, which could cost the livestock industry $80 billion if it worsened.

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