Building the capability of trained personnel to effectively coordinate a national response is crucial to ensuring Australia’s preparedness in the face of an Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) outbreak. Each year, Animal Health Australia’s (AHA) industry and government members and their support network participate in training for the Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases (CCEAD) to support this objective in national biosecurity.
In September 2024 during AHA’s Member Engagement Week (MEW), nominated veterinary and technical experts took part in a two-day workshop to understand and exercise their learnings on participating as a member of the CCEAD. The event welcomed a diverse range of over 25 participants and observers who contributed varied and invaluable viewpoints surrounding the considerations that would be made within a CCEAD meeting.
AHA’s Head of Training, Ben Byrne and Eastern Animal Health Professional’s Peter Dagg facilitated the role-based training and guided participants towards an increased understanding of EAD response arrangements and CCEAD’s role within an EAD response. Participants used an EAD scenario to explore CCEAD activities such as notifications and reporting, development and recommendations of an Emergency Animal Disease Response Plan (EADRP), consensus decision making, and reporting to the National Management Group (NMG) and Affected Parties. Utilising their skills under pressure, members collaborated in response to the simulated outbreak of Food-And-Mouth Disease (FMD), a scenario that was developed to allow members to exercise the role of a CCEAD member.
Those in attendance were immensely fortunate to hear from the Australian Chief Veterinary Officer (ACVO), Dr Beth Cookson, who took the time to speak to participants on the significance of CCEAD during a response and the role members play in coordinating an effective response. Dr Cookson covered the challenges, insights, and opportunities identified from her role as the ACVO, particularly in light of the high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) incidents in Victoria, NSW, and the ACT during 2024. Her presentation instilled the gravity of CCEAD members’ responsibilities and inspired strength in the Australian government’s preparedness to coordinate and support jurisdictions efforts to respond to EAD threats. You can read about Dr Cookson’s contribution to the training on LinkedIn.
Melinda Hashimoto, of Egg Farmers Australia, also presented to participants and offered her insights on the involvement of CCEAD in a response from an industry perspective. Given Melinda’s contributions during the HPAI response as a representative of Australian Eggs Limited, participants were also fortunate to hear and learn from recent experiences. Along with some very practical tips on preparing for and understanding what happens before, during, and after a CCEAD meeting, Melinda also helped industry members to consider how they can support and advocate for their industry.
The CCEAD workshop allowed participants to not only enhance their ability to perform the role, but also provided an opportunity to forge strong relationships across the livestock, health, and biosecurity sectors. The workshop feedback received reflects this, along with the appreciation to hear from a “great group of people and very knowledgeable facilitators” and “the presentations on real CCEAD experiences and challenges”.
AHA’s appreciation goes out to Dr Beth Cookson, Melinda Hashimoto, and all participants in attendance, and we look forward to welcoming like-minded and engaged industry and government members at the next MEW.
