It’s hard to believe that the end of the year is almost upon us. I do love this time – Christmas planning begins, well-earned breaks are fast approaching and some projects are wrapping up! Just like our 2022/23 Animal Health Australia (AHA) Annual Report, which is now available for download on our website.

This Annual Report is slightly different to previous years as it marks the midpoint in our five-year strategic plan and showcases aspects of our achievements over not just the last financial year but from the beginning of our AHA 2020-25 Strategy.

You will see that the past three years have seen some challenges, so it’s pleasing to see how much we as an organisation, in partnership with our members, have achieved to keep our animal health and biosecurity systems both front of mind and fit for purpose.

I also wanted to let you know that Animal Health Australia made a submission into the consultation of the Biosecurity Protection Levy (BPL); we see that many of our members did the same. These submissions are available to view on the Have Your Say website: Biosecurity Protection Levy | Have Your Say – Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

In our submission we welcomed the initiative in principle but noted for the BPL to reach full potential it’s essential the funding model is co-owned and co-designed – two elements which are currently missing from the proposed levy.

We are hopeful further consultation and consideration is undertaken to ensure the BPL truly delivers on a much needed national and sustainable funding model for biosecurity.

Thanks,

Dr Samantha Allan