CEO Update

We are now well and truly into the working year! I hope you all managed to enjoy a restful and relaxing break.

The team here at Animal Health Australia (AHA) are ready for another big year and we are progressing our planning and program for March Member Engagement Week scheduled for the week starting the 18th.

You would have received the registration details in your inbox on the 18th of January but if not, you can find out more here. 

A vital component of Member Engagement Week is the EADRA workshop which will include the report of the five-year review of the EADRA.

Read the rest of the CEO’s message here.

The Training team kicks off 2024 in Tasmania

In collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas), the AHA Training team will be hosting the first Liaison Livestock Industry (LLI) workshop of 2024 on Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) preparedness, specifically designed for industry representatives.

This workshop is a key part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the industry’s response capabilities to EAD threats. A previous LLI participant mentions, “There was good representation from across the livestock industries at each table, this enabled valuable and diverse discussion and cross-industry collaboration…”.

The workshop will provide an in-depth understanding of EAD management strategies, practical training for emergency response, and scenario-based exercises for skill development. Additionally, it offers a valuable opportunity for networking and collaboration across the industry.

For members interested in learning more about this initiative or the workshop, please contact the AHA Training team at trainingsupport@animalhealthaustralia.com.au.

AUSVETPLAN makes headway

The AUSVETPLAN team has been busy over the last quarter!

• Writing groups have concluded for the decontamination operational manual, wool industry enterprise manual and bluetongue response strategy. The three manuals developed by these writing groups, plus two resource documents Tracing and product recall from export certified abattoirs affected by African swine fever and African swine fever response operational guidelines for pig abattoirs are now being progressed through the AUSVETPLAN approvals process described in the AUSVETPLAN Overview.
• Work also continues on the destruction of animals operational manual and African swine fever response strategy, with plans to complete the reviews in the first quarter of 2024.
• A new writing group has formed to undertake a complete review of the AUSVETPLAN avian influenza response strategy.

Get the full details here.

The buzz on protecting piggeries from mosquitoes

Summer can be a wonderful time in Australia, but with the heat and wet weather comes mosquitos. A reminder that there’s a wealth of resources at members’ fingertips, including the Integrated Mosquito Management Principles for Piggeries fact sheet, which was developed by the Japanese Encephalitis Vector Management Group.

Effective mosquito management targets all stages of the mosquito life cycle and is the best way to reduce mosquitoes to protect workers and pigs.

Read more about mosquito management.

Five-year EADRA review almost complete

The EADRA Five-year review working group, which met monthly in 2023, have now concluded their discussions and developed the draft report of the review.

Once final comments are received from the review working group, the report and a draft three-year work plan will be circulated this month to all EADRA signatories, in advance of the EADRA workshops that will be held during March Member Engagement Week.

EADRA signatories at the workshop will be asked to endorse the report and to comment on the workplan developed to address the recommendations.

Call for abstracts for the 3rd Australian Biosecurity Symposium

A reminder that the call for abstracts is underway for the 3rd Australian Biosecurity Symposium scheduled for August 27th to 29th 2024.

Our symposium tagline – Innovative, Immersive, Inclusive – embodies the essence of our event and summarises the themes for abstract submissions, to encourage a diversity of topics.

We invite abstracts and presentations that promote the exchange of knowledge and ideas across the biosecurity spectrum – from agriculture (animals and plants) to wildlife, aquatics, humans, and the environment. This symposium serves as the perfect platform to explore transformative approaches for Australia’s biosecurity systems, safeguarding our economy, environment, and way of life.

Abstract submissions close 11:59pm on Sunday 31st March 2024.

Find out more.

Dr Alison Crook: Australia Day honour

Congratulations to Queensland Chief Vet Dr Allison Crook who was awarded the public service medal in the Australia Day 2024 honours list for her contribution to animal welfare and the protection of biosecurity in Queensland. Dr Crook has been a staunch advocate and champion for both the sector and AHA – a well-deserved achievement!

Around the traps

• Cattle Australia (CA) have announced Garry Edwards as new Chair of its Board of Directors. Mr Edwards, who has served as Vice Chair of CA since December 2022, is a beef producer from the Southern Australia Livestock Research Council zone, operating his enterprise in the Stroud region, in New South Wales. CA have also extended thanks to outgoing Chair, David Foote, for his foundational contribution to the organisation.
• ALFA is now offering a new virtual feedlot tour and resource. This tour gives the user a comprehensive 360-degree walkthrough of a working feedlot. Explore.
• Dairy farmer Ben Bennett has been appointed by the ADF Board and National Council to the position of President of Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF). Read More.
• The 2024 ZAA Conference ‘Leading the Way for Wildlife and People’ is now accepting abstract submissions. Read More.
• The Australian Chicken Meat Industry is reaping the rewards of supporting innovative young leaders keen to pursue careers in the industry through the Gary Samson Scholarship program. Read More.
• Dr Elise Spark has been appointed to the role of Chief Veterinary Officer for South Australia. Read more.