Committees that deal with Animal Health

Australia's terrestrial^* animal health management policies and programs are coordinated nationally by a series of government committees.

The committees range from scientific (technical/operational) committees devoted to animal health up to a committee at ministerial level where a part of its work addresses animal health issues that require high-level policy endorsement.

Committees

The Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC) comprises of state and territory primary industries ministers and is chaired by the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. PIMC considers agricultural issues of national importance that may include animal health issues.

The Primary Industries Standing Committee (PISC) is the standing committee to PIMC and manages the work of PIMC. It comprises the Chief Executive Officers of state and territory and Australian Government departments of agriculture (or equivalents), as well as a representative from New Zealand.

Previously, the Primary Industries Health Committee (PIHC) had a dual role in managing PISC’s agenda on health issues and provided direction to its supporting committees. On1 July 2008 the new National Biosecurity Committee (NBC) became the new advisory committee to the Primary Industries Standing Committee (PISC) and the Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC) - replacing the Primary Industries Health Committee (PIHC).

All primary industries health issues, including environmental and animal and plant biosecurity issues, will be scrutinised by the new NBC prior to submission to PISC and PIMC.

For further information contact the NBC Secretariat. 

The Animal Health Committee (AHC) provides scientific and technical advice on animal health issues to PISC via PIHC as required. AHC comprises of Australian state and territory and New Zealand Chief Veterinary Officers and representatives from the CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL), Biosecurity Australia, the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS), and Animal Health Australia. The committee drives and manages high level strategic policy development, operational strategies and standards for government in animal health, domestic quarantine, animal welfare and veterinary public health. It also provides a mechanism to enable national consultation and to facilitate a nationally consistent government approach to animal health and welfare issues of concern to government and other stakeholders.

The Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) develops national guidelines and standards for animal welfare, identifies emerging animal welfare issues, consults with industry and other stakeholders and provides advice to AHC on animal welfare matters.

The Sub-committee on Emergency Animal Diseases (SCEAD) provides advice to AHC on operational arrangements relating to emergency animal disease incidents including prevention, preparedness and response, including cross-border issues, relevant legislation and resourcing issues.

The Sub-committee on Animal Health Laboratory Standards (SCAHLS) facilitates the networking between government, CSIRO AAHL, private and university animal health laboratories and operates to establish, implement and monitor professional and technical standards within these laboratories. SCAHLS seeks to sustain and improve the quality of livestock and livestock products to assure market access through the application of best practice to veterinary laboratory services.

The Aquatic Animal Health Committee (AAHC) is the primary industry/government interface for policy, communication and awareness related to aquatic animal health issues. AAHC members represent the Australian, state and Northern Territory government departments with responsibility for aquatic animal health; the CSIRO AAHL; the capture and recreational fishing industries; the finfish, mollusc, and crustacean aquaculture industries; and the ornamental fish industry. AAHC also reports to PISC through PIHC. AHC and AAHC regularly exchange information as appropriate.

The National Aquatic Animal Health – Technical Working Group (NAAH-TWG) – provides scientific and technical advice to the AAHC. NAAH-TWG members represent the Australian, state and Northern Territory governments and the CSIRO AAHL. Other aquatic animal health experts from both government and non-government agencies - including specialists from academia, industry and the private sector - may also be invited to participate. SCAHLS and AAHC's NAAH-TWG exchange information relating to shared laboratory issues on a regular basis.

• See more about the committees that deal with aquatic animal health

The Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases (CCEAD) meets when required to coordinate the national response to emergency animal disease incidents.

The National Emergency Animal Disease Management Group (NMG) reviews the advice given by CCEAD relating to emergency disease response policy and funding mechanisms. It comprises of the Chief Executive Officers of state and territory and Australian Government departments of agriculture (or equivalents), as well as industry representatives.

(*Animals living in or on land).