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At the department’s diagnostic laboratory in Melbourne, Senior Molecular Biologist Grace Sun and colleagues Komal Gurdasani, Umar Muhammad, Brodie Sutcliffe, Jesse Pinguinha and Brad Pease are utilising the latest diagnostic technology to help pro
Australia is fortunate to be free from many of the world’s most damaging plant pests and diseases that could severely impact our natural environment and agricultural industries.
19 May 2025
This change affects importers of mushroom spawn and/or cultures for propagation, brokers, assessment officers and inspection teams.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) will update the import conditions and onshore management of mushroom spawn and/or cultures for propagation on 23 May 2025.
These updates will affect importers, brokers, and department staff.
myFeedback is an industry-first single-source data program. It combines the benefits of carcase and eating quality data with animal disease and defect insights in one place. This enables more accurate benchmarking of carcase performance for all users.
The program is designed to help beef and sheepmeat producers make data-driven on-farm decisions to improve the quality and health of their livestock, in line with market requirements.
myFeedback combines analytical reports, using data derived from:
This project aims to enhance serological diagnostic capabilities at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness for equine piroplasmosis caused by protozoal parasites Theileria equi and Babesia caballi.
Project Lead: Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness; Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Project Contact: animalhealthlaboratories@aff.gov.au
Project Status: Complete
This project aims to enhance our national diagnostic capabilities for glanders at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness. Glanders is a national notifiable disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia mallei.
Project Lead: Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness; Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Project Contact: animalhealthlaboratories@aff.gov.au
Project Status: Active
This project aims to evaluate and improve current bluetongue virus (BTV) serological capabilities in Australia to support national BTV surveillance and response activities.
Project Lead: Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness; Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Project Contact: Animalhealthlaboratories@aff.gov.au
Project Status: Active
Project Date: October 2021 to June 2025
This project aims to develop a bead-based multiplexed serological assay for the differential diagnosis of various flaviviruses. It is suitable for use with samples from pigs and horses.
The usefulness of this assay will be compared to existing enzyme linked immunosorbent assays and the gold standard test, the plaque reduction neutralisation test.
Successful uptake of this new serological approach will enable higher throughput and more sensitive and specific testing for flaviviruses in relevant livestock species.
One Biosecurity is South Australia’s (SA) voluntary, free on-farm biosecurity management program for livestock producers.
Developed together with key industry groups, including Livestock SA, the online One Biosecurity portal helps to protect animal health. It supports producers to adopt good on-farm biosecurity practices and promotes risk management.
Project Lead: Department of Primary Industries and Regions, SA (PIRSA)
Project Contact: PIRSA
Project Status: Active
With assistance from Animal Health Australia, the Australian Alpaca Association has launched an NLIS for alpacas in a voluntary capacity.
The NLIS is designed to track devices and corresponding livestock movements for disease control, biosecurity, food safety, market access and other industry-related purposes. NLIS for alpacas uses a visually readable electronic tag that stays with each animal for life.
Project Lead: Australian Alpaca Association; Animal Health Australia
