Vetcommunique Volume 10 Issue 3

Pre-Animal Health Committee 18 Face-to-Face Meeting 19 - 21 October 2010

Welcome to the Animal Health Committee (AHC) newsletter for animal industry bodies. The aim of Vetcommuniqu? 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), Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) and Biosecurity Australia. National industry association representatives and industry representatives from the host jurisdiction also attend an AHC – industry forum.

AHC meets on 19-21 October 2010 in Melbourne, Victoria. Dr Brian Radunz is the Northern Territory Chief Veterinary Officer and AHC Chair for 2010.

Further information on AHC can be found on the DAFF website.

Issues for discussion at AHC18 Face-to-Face Meeting

Industry involvement at AHC18 face-to-face meeting

AHC 18 is conducting a joint session with industry on Wednesday 20 October 2010. Representatives from the following industry groups have been invited to attend AHC:

• Australian Egg Corporation Limited
• Australian Pork Limited
• Australian Dairy Farmers Limited
• Dairy Australia
• Australian Alpaca Association Limited
• Victorian Cattle Compensation Advisory Committee
• Victorian Sheep and Goat Identification Advisory Committee
• Victorian Sheep and Goat Compensation Advisory Committee.

Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) EAD Categorisation

AHC and AHA will provide a progress report on the review of categorisation of TB in the Government and Livestock Industry Cost Sharing Deed in Respect of Emergency Animal Disease Responses (the EADRA). This follows a report to AHC by an Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Categorisation Panel which reviewed the categorisation of TB within EADRA, and whether any qualifying conditions should apply, from January  011.

Animal Health Systems

Jurisdictions will provide AHC with an update on animal health management strategies for several diseases, including Enzootic Bovine Leukosis, Ovine Johnes Disease and Bovine Johnes Disease.

National Animal Disease General Surveillance

AHC will hold a plenary session to further consider the development of a national approach to general surveillance. This is to facilitate a coordinated approach to ensure the level of resources and surveillance activity for any particular region in Australia is optimal.

This session will include consideration of several issues, including, but not limited to, reports from the following AHC Working Groups:

General Surveillance Epidemiology Working Group: is evaluating the contribution of all general surveillance activities to the detection of significant diseases, with the aim to provide a framework that assists in determining the level of surveillance that should be implemented in each livestock region.

Arbovirus Surveillance Needs Working Group: is considering the high level objectives of arbovirus monitoring in Australia. This Working Group report to AHC includes recommendations on the objectives of a national animal arbovirus surveillance system, how a surveillance program should be managed and options for arbovirus surveillance.

Emergency Animal Disease National Information Needs Working Group: This Working Group is considering the data needed to address the information requirements for EAD management at the national, jurisdictional and inter-jurisdictional level.

BioSIRT and MAX demonstrations

AHC has arranged a demonstration of BioSIRT (Biosecurity Surveillance, Incident, Response and Tracing) and MAX (Maximum Disease and Pest Control) to complement the surveillance plenary session. BioSIRT and MAX have been developed by the Australian and Victorian Government’s respectively, to enable better management of information and resources used to manage animal diseases and emergency responses.

Aquatic 'EADRA'

The Emergency Aquatic Animal Disease Response Arrangements Working Group will provide AHC with a progress report on the development of an industry–government deed, to share responsibilities and costs for managing emergency aquatic animal disease incidents. Aquatic animal industries have been engaged closely on the proposed work plan, including through the National Aquatic Animal Health Industry Reference Group (NAAHIRG).

Key Contacts

Dr Brian Radunz (AHC Chair), Northern Territory CVO, 08 8999 2130

Dr Jamie Finkelstein (AHC Secretary), email AHC 02 6272 4532

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 4640 6437

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 9368 3344

Dr Will Andrew, Australian Capital Territory CVO, 02 6207 2357

Dr Robyn Martin, Biosecurity Australia, 02 6272 5444

Ms Lee Cale,  Aust. Quarantine and Inspection Service, 02 6272 5162

Dr Martyn Jeggo, Australian Animal Health Laboratories, 03 5227 5511

Dr Eva-Maria Bernoth, Animal Health Australia, 02 6203 3944