Pre-Animal Health Committee 17 Face-to-Face, May 2010
Welcome to the Animal Health Committee (AHC) newsletter for animal industry bodies. The aim of Vetcommuniqué is to provide a communication link between AHC and client industry bodies.
AHC membership comprises the Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOs) of the Commonwealth, States and Territories, and representatives from Biosecurity Australia and CSIRO. Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS), Animal Health Australia (AHA) and the New Zealand CVO attend AHC as participants. AHC also meets with industry representatives on specific items from time to time.
Dr Brian Radunz is the Northern Territory Chief Veterinary Officer and AHC Chair for 2010.
AHC next meets 4-6 May 2010 in Adelaide, South Australia. AHC last met on 12-14 October 2009 in Hobart, Tasmania.
Issues for discussion at AHC17 Face-to-Face
Industry involvement at AHC17 face-to-face
AHC17 face-to-face is having a joint session and dinner with industry on Tuesday 4 May 2010.
Representatives from the following industry groups have been invited to attend AHC:
- Cattle Council of Australia
- Australian Pork Limited
- Sheep Advisory Group
- Cattle Advisory Group
- Tuna Boat Owners
- Barramundi Growers
Australian Biosecurity Intelligence Network (ABIN)
AHC has invited the Australian Biosecurity Intelligence Network (ABIN) to present at the Adelaide face-to-face meeting. As a world first, and part of the Australian Governments National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS), ABIN aims to dramatically improve the ability of Australia’s biosecurity community of researchers, industry and governments to work together to address common problems or emerging biosecurity issues through a nationally networked IT framework. ABIN will provide members across the animal, plant, aquatic, wildlife and human health biosecurity community with ‘real time’ access to data, information and know-how, and use of leading edge tools and technologies to generate biosecurity intelligence.
The CEO of ABIN Dr Joanne Banyer will present an overview of ABIN. Dr Marc Kabay, from the Department of Agriculture and Food WA, will present on the Virtual Microscopy Laboratory Network, and the Animal Disease Knowledge repository project. These two projects should contribute to improving national animal disease surveillance outcomes. For more information on ABIN or any of its proof-of-concept projects visit the ABIN website.
Veterinary registration progress
A report on the progress of National Recognition of Veterinary Registration (NRVR) will be provided. Currently in Australia, a veterinarian can only practice in a State/Territory in which they hold registration with the corresponding veterinary surgeons board. If a veterinarian wishes to practice in two or more jurisdictions, they need to be registered by the authorities in each of the separate jurisdictions, incurring significant expense and administrative effort to the veterinarian.
In 2008, PIMC considered proposed model of NRVR, whereby a veterinarian who is registered and entitled to practice in one State/Territory would be able to practice in any other State/Territory in Australia without the need to separately register in each other State/Territory.
Surveillance workshop
An AHC workshop was held on 25-26 March 2010 to build a national animal disease surveillance plan. A report on progress on outcomes and actions following this workshop will be presented to AHC members for consideration.
National Biosecurity Information Management Conceptual Framework workshop
AHC representatives will attend an upcoming workshop on the National Biosecurity Information Management Conceptual Framework. Some of the aims of the workshop include:
- developing an action plan template for each sector to document any gaps or impediments identified in the collection of information required for the framework.
- developing an action plan at the national biosecurity level to address any cross-sectoral issues identified.
- identify further work that needs to be undertaken and develop recommendations to the National Biosecurity Committee (NBC).
FMD Key Vulnerabilities Project
AHC has previously been advised of the package of projects identified as being necessary to help mitigate risks with respect to FMD and improve Australia’s preparedness in the event of an outbreak. The project was recently announced by MLA. AHA will outline the next steps in the project.
Bovine Tuberculosis EADRA progress
AHA will provide AHC with an update on the progress of consideration of a review of the current categorisation of TB in the EADRA, which will enable the simultaneous consideration of the removal of the qualifying condition applying to the current listing of bovine tuberculosis in the EADRA. This follows the provision of a report to AHC, by a working group in March, on the technical issues surrounding the decision on whether bovine tuberculosis should be recommended on technical grounds for inclusion without qualification in the EADRA from December 2010.
National Environmental Biosecurity Response Agreement exercise
The National Environmental Biosecurity Response Agreement (NEBRA) was drafted to fill a gap in national emergency response arrangements from biosecurity incidents which primarily affect the environment and/or social amenity. To engage sectoral committees on the implications of NEBRA for the sector a tabletop exercise has been designed, specific to the sector, that will lead committee members through the process outlined in the NEBRA. AHC will be participating in an exercise involving a disease of wildlife in a plenary session in Adelaide. It is anticipated the process will help AHC identify any issues with implementation of the NEBRA and opportunities for capacity building within the sector.
Key Contacts
- Dr Brian Radunz (AHC Chair), Northern Territory CVO, 08 8999 2130
- Dr Jennifer Davis (A/g AHC Secretary), email AHC, 02 6272 5494
- Dr Andy Carroll, Australian CVO, 02 6272 4644
- Dr Andrew Cameron, Victorian Deputy CVO, 03 9217 4237
- Dr Bruce Christie, New South Wales CVO, 02 6391 3717
- Dr Rob Rahaley, South Australian CVO, 08 8207 7970
- Dr Ron Glanville, Queensland CVO, 07 3239 3525
- Dr Rod Andrewartha, Tasmanian CVO, 03 6233 6836
- Dr Tony Higgs, Western Australian CVO, 08 9892 8479
- Dr Will Andrew, Australian Capital Territory CVO, 02 6207 2357
- Dr Robyn Martin, Biosecurity Australia, 02 6272 5444
- Ms Lee Cale, Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, 02 6272 5162
- Dr Martyn Jeggo, Director, Australian Animal Health Laboratories, 03 5227 5511
- Dr Eva-Maria Bernoth, Animal Health Australia, 02 6203 3944