Vetcommunique October 2011

​​Animal Health Committee 20 Face–to–Face Meeting, 19–20 October 2011

Welcome to the Animal Health​ Committee (AHC) newsletter for animal industry bodies. The aim of the Vetcommunique is to provide a communication link between AHC and industry bodies.

AHC meetings are attended by the Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOs) of the Commonwealth, States and Territories, the New Zealand CVO and representatives from Animal Health Australia (AHA), Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL), Animal Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS), Biosecurity Australia (BA) and Australian Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. National Industry association representatives and industry representatives from the host jurisdiction also attend an AHC – industry forum.

AHC meets on 19–20 October 2011 in Townsville, Queensland. Dr Andrew Cameron is the Victorian Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer and AHC Chair for 2011.

Key Outcomes from AHC21 Face-to-Face Meeting

New Australian Chief Veterinary Officer – Dr Mark Schipp

Dr Mark Schipp has been appointed as the Australian Chief Veterinary Officer (ACVO) following the retirement of Dr Andy Carroll earlier this year.

Prior to his appointment, Dr Schipp was the General Manager for Food Exports, responsible for delivery of inspection, verification and certification for exports of meat, fish, dairy and organic products from Australia.

From 2006 until 2010, Dr Schipp was General Manager, Export Standards, responsible for negotiating market access and export certification requirements for Australian food products. During this period he led the Australian delegation to the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems.

Dr Schipp served two terms overseas as Agriculture Counsellor in Seoul, South Korea from 2000 to 2003 which was followed by a similar posting in Beijing, China from 2003 to 2006. He was instrumental in progressing a number of bilateral market access issues during these postings.

Mark comes from the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; prior to moving overseas in 2000 he worked in the Australian Quarantine & Inspection Service in the export meat program at a number of levels – in abattoirs, in Canberra and in policy roles.

Mark is a biology and veterinary graduate of Murdoch University. After graduation he worked with the Western Australian Department of Agriculture providing animal health advice to farmers.

Issues for discussion at AHC20 Face–to–Face Meeting

Industry involvement at AHC20 face–to–face meeting

Representatives from the Animal Health Australia Industry Forum have been invited to attend a joint session with AHC on Wednesday 29 October  2011.

Issues that will be discussed at this joint session include developments towards a National General Surveillance Program, the Biosecurity Reform initiative in DAFF and Horse Vaccines (Hendra and Flavivirus).

Training in Emergency Animal Disease

A work plan for a 2011–2012 transitional program from the Response Preparedness Capability Enhancement Program (RPCEP) to the National Emergency Animal Disease Training Program will be considered by AHC. The transition to a national emergency animal disease training program, embedded as a core program in AHA, will ensure on–going support for national EAD training.

Equine Vaccines – Hendra and Flavivirus

AHC will consider issues surrounding the importation of Flavivirus vaccines and the development of a Hendra vaccine by CSIRO. Discussion will also focus on the range of issues surrounding use of the vaccine including implementation and use of vaccines once registered.

National Animal Disease General Surveillance

AHC will consider a report from the General Surveillance Epidemiology Working Group

presenting an update on the group’s work on the likelihood assessment, regional surveillance assessment, and general surveillance benchmarking.

Surveillance in Northern Australia Symposium

AHC is hosting a symposium on surveillance in Northern Australia, in conjunction with AHC 20. This symposium will further consider surveillance activities being undertaken by Commonwealth and State/Territory agencies, CSIRO, Universities, and local communities to identify opportunities for closer collaboration in northern Australian surveillance activities.

Key Contacts

• Dr Andrew Cameron (AHC Chair), Victorian Deputy CVO, 03 9217 4237
• Dr Mark Schipp, Australian CVO, 02 6272 4644
• Dr Brian Radunz, Northern Territory CVO, 08 8999 2130
• Dr Ian Roth, New South Wales CVO, 02 6391 3577
• Dr Rob Rahaley, South Australian CVO, 08 8207 7970
• Dr Rick Symons, Queensland CVO, 07 3239 3242
• Dr Rod Andrewartha, Tasmanian CVO, 03 6233 6836
• Dr Tony Higgs, Western Australian CVO, 08 9368 3344
• Dr Will Andrew, Australian Capital Territory CVO, 02 6207 2357
• Dr Andrew Cupit, Animal Biosecurity, DAFF, 02 6272 5444
• Dr Michelle Blowes, Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, DAFF, 02 6272 4454
• Prof. Martyn Jeggo, Australian Animal Health Laboratories, 03 5227 5511
• Dr Eva–Maria Bernoth, Animal Health Australia, 02 6203 3944
• Ms Joanne Nathan, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities 02 6275 9252