As part of AHA’s and members’ commitment to fulfilling shared obligations under the Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA) it is AHA’s responsibility to offer training to representatives of our members so they are able to effectively participate on the national committees in the event of an emergency animal disease (EAD).
We’ve put together a number of FAQs on how these national committees fit into the whole EAD response picture and who should be attending the associated training.
How do these national committees contribute to the whole response?
During the event of an EAD incident, formal response structures are activated to facilitate information flow between the strategic, tactical and operational elements of a response. As part of this framework, national committees are convened to ensure rapid decision-making and an efficient and effective response.
What is the role of the CCEAD?
The Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases (CCEAD) is the key technical body responsible for coordinating the national response to animal health emergencies in Australia. Its key role in an EAD response is to ensure that:
- international and domestic policy and legal obligations concerning the management of animal health emergencies are met.
- problems of public health or trade significance in animals are approached in a nationally coordinated manner.
- there is a link between the Australian Government, state and territory governments, industry bodies, Animal Health Australia and (in a cost-shared response) and the National Management Group (NMG) to facilitate national consensus on the management of an EAD response.
The CCEAD is convened upon notification of suspected EAD incidents, and in some instances, where there is an incident of public health or trade significance.
What is NMG’s role, and how is it different from CCEAD?
National Management Group (NMG) is the key decision-making body during cost-shared responses to animal health emergencies in Australia (i.e. they only convene should an Emergency Animal Disease Response Plan be recommended by the Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases contain cost-sharing).
Its role in a cost-shared response to emergency animal disease (EAD) is to:
- consider technical advice from the CCEAD on technical issues relating to an EAD.
- approve (or not) cost-sharing as described in the Emergency Animal Disease Response Plan (EADRP) recommended by the CCEAD.
- decide on the technical feasibility and cost-benefit for eradicating an EAD in accordance with the EADRP and EADRA.
- manage the national policy and resourcing needs of the EADRP.
- receive regular updates from the CCEAD on the EADRP.
Who is suitable to attend AHA’s NMG training?
NMG training is targeted at high-level industry and government members or their representatives, who have the authority to make financial commitments to a cost-shared EAD response. These include Chief Executive Officers and presidents (or equivalent) and their advisors.
Who is suitable to attend AHA’s CCEAD training?
CCEAD training is aimed at veterinary and technical experts who would sit on CCEAD and advise NMG about disease control in an EAD response. Government representatives are generally the Chief Veterinary Officer or their delegate; for industry, the veterinarian or technical expert that is engaged by and advises their peak industry body.
When is NMG and CCEAD training held?
CCEAD and NMG training is delivered each year during AHA’s Member Engagement Week in March and September, either in a virtual or face-to-face workshop format.
AHA held a NMG face-to-face workshop at Member Engagement Week in March 2023 and CCEAD was held virtually in April 2023.
When will training be held again?
At Member Engagement Week (September 2023) in Canberra, AHA will deliver CCEAD face-to-face. The focus will be on scenario-based exercises to increase attendees’ preparedness to step into the role.
Attendance is determined by the representatives put forward by AHA members, but if you believe you meet the requirements please contact your national peak livestock industry body or chief veterinary office.
Want more information?
The CCEAD and NMG information guide for a cost shared response gives detailed information on what is an EAD, the national arrangements and the committees.