CEO UPDATE
Reflecting on a successful Member Engagement Week
Thank you to everyone who joined us in Canberra for our second Member Engagement Week (MEW) of 2025. It was delightful to see such strong engagement across government and industry, and to hear your insights on the future of national biosecurity and emergency animal disease preparedness.
The energy and collaboration throughout the week — from workshops to informal networking — reaffirmed the immense value of coming together in person. These face-to-face interactions are essential for building networks, strengthening cohesion across our membership, and sparking new ideas. I’d like to thank all our member and presenters for their passion and enthusiasm throughout the week.
MEW was also an excellent opportunity for members to meet many of our new AHA team members. We’re proud of the passion and expertise they bring to our work, and it was wonderful to see those connections forming.
As we look ahead, there are a few key opportunities for members to continue shaping our work:
Annual Operating Plan consultation — We’re reviewing our Annual Operating Plan (AOP) to ensure it continues to meet your needs. The review kicks off with a member-focused AOP webinar on 31 October. This session will give you a transparent look into how the AOP is developed — from project planning and budgeting to committee approvals. More importantly, it’s your chance to share insights, ask questions, and help shape the AOP to better reflect your needs. Invitations to the webinar were sent out earlier this month.
Member Charter Review — Earlier this month, we also emailed members about the review of the Member Charter. We’re refreshing the Charter to align with our Strategic Plan 2025–30 and want your feedback. If you haven’t already, please complete the short survey — your input will help shape a Charter that supports stronger collaboration and clarity across our network. The survey will remain open until 1 February 2026.
Exercise Flight Path — This month, we’re delivering a Commonwealth-funded discussion exercise focused on high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI). The exercise commenced on 14 October with an online briefing and will culminate in an in-person gathering in Canberra on 28 and 29 October. The exercise brings together participants from across government, industry and AHA to test and validate key AUSVETPLAN response strategies. The learnings will help strengthen national preparedness and inform future guidance for managing similar disease outbreaks.
Thank you again for your ongoing support and engagement. We look forward to continuing the conversation and working together on the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Suspected H5 bird flu in elephant seals on Heard Island
Australian scientists have observed clinical signs consistent with H5 avian influenza (bird flu) in elephant seals during a research voyage to Heard Island, a remote Australian sub-Antarctic territory.
This is not a confirmed detection, and Australia remains free from H5 bird flu.
Signs of H5 are not unexpected in the region, with previous detections on nearby French sub-Antarctic islands. No clinical signs of disease were observed in other species, including penguins and other seabirds.
Samples were safely collected and will be tested at the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness in mid-November when the research vessel returns to port.
Even if H5 is confirmed, this would not substantially increase the risk to Australia given the known presence of the virus in the sub-Antarctic. However, it does reinforce the ongoing need for Australia to remain focused on preparing for a possible outbreak.
Regards
Dr Samantha Allan
MEMBER UPDATE
Member Engagement Week dates set for 2026
The dates for the 2026 Member Engagement Weeks are locked in:
- 2–5 March 2026
- 14–17 September 2026
We look forward to welcoming you again in 2026 for more opportunities to connect, collaborate and shape the future of animal health and biosecurity.
EADRA update
A full-day Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA) Workshop was held on Tuesday 23 September 2025 as part of MEW. The workshop focused on the outcomes and priority actions arising from the After-Action Review (AAR) of the High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) responses in Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory in 2024.
The workshop provided an opportunity for robust discussions, and the EADRA team would like to thank all those who attended and presented during the session for their contributions.
The EADRA Working Group on categorisation met on 11 September 2025 and discussed proposed text changes to enhance categorisation processes. The changes will be presented at the 2025 EADRA Variations meeting on 19 November 2025.
AUSVETPLAN Quarterly Communiqué out now
The latest AUSVETPLAN Quarterly Communiqué is now available. Topics covered include:
- insights into Exercise Flight Path
- an overview of the AUSVETPLAN review process
- progress on manual updates and glossary consolidation
- early scoping for new guidance documents
Training updates
Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases (CCEAD) Workshop
AHA was proud to host an energetic and engaging CCEAD workshop as part of Member Engagement Week in September. Over two days, our team facilitated training for over 25 participants from industry and government signatories, helping cross-sectoral stakeholders — including representatives from human health and wildlife sectors — gain a deeper understanding of key CCEAD principles and processes.
Mark Ford, a member of the Veterinary Investigations Team from the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP), presented on ACDP’s role in an EAD response. His session focused on the management and implications of testing samples for a suspect event, which sparked insightful questions and discussions from the diverse cohort of participants.
The event also included a presentation from AHA’s Therese Wright and was facilitated by Ben Byrne (AHA) and Peter Dagg (Eastern Animal Health Professionals). Together, these experts delivered a dynamic and practical training experience, giving participants the chance to practice the decision-making skills required of CCEAD representatives in a safe, supportive environment.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive — 100% of participants either ‘strongly agreed’ or ‘agreed’ that the training met their needs, was delivered well, and enabled effective participation. Attendees particularly enjoyed the scenario-based discussions and networking opportunity and left with an increased level of understanding and confidence in performing the CCEAD role.
NBRT jurisdictional webinars
As part of ongoing professional development for the National Biosecurity Response Team (NBRT), Plant Health Australia is facilitating a jurisdictional webinar series to help members build a clearer understanding of interstate operations.
The first two webinars — hosted by New South Wales and Queensland in mid-September and late October — focused on each jurisdiction’s emergency response arrangements, legislation, systems, and processes.
These sessions help members feel more prepared for potential interstate deployment.
LLI program member survey and EAD contact lists
The AHA Training Team is currently reviewing and updating the Liaison – Livestock Industry (LLI) Program and its supporting resources. Member feedback is a vital part of this process, so keep your eyes peeled over the next couple of weeks for an email providing guidance on completing the member survey.
AHA will also circulate the annual EAD contact list for review and update. This yearly check ensures LLI, CCEAD, and NMG contact details remain current, which can save valuable time at the beginning of a response. We appreciate your commitment to keeping these lists up to date.
- an overview of the AUSVETPLAN review process
- progress on manual updates and glossary consolidation
- early scoping for new guidance documents
Central Animal Health Database (CAHD) insights report
AHA has released a new insights report outlining feedback received from national consultation for a modernised national animal health surveillance platform.
The report draws on input from over 130 stakeholders — including veterinarians, producers, government agencies, and researchers — engaged through consultations, surveys, and workshops.
The findings will inform a roadmap for the future CAHD, ensuring it remains secure, adaptable, and fit-for-purpose. The enhanced platform will improve data sharing, analytics, and decision-making, supporting national surveillance programs and Australia’s international obligations.
Spotlight on screw-worm fly preparedness
Biosecurity experts recently gathered in Darwin for the annual Screw-Worm Fly Surveillance and Preparedness Program (SWFSPP) meeting and entomology workshop. With strong collaboration and practical training outcomes, the event reinforced Australia’s readiness to respond to this serious pest threat.
Cattle Connect 2025 — uniting the beef supply chain
Cattle Australia’s flagship event, Cattle Connect 2025, returns on 11–12 November at the Dalby Showgrounds, QLD.
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, this year promises even more insight, innovation and industry spirit. Expect thought-provoking presentations, cutting-edge tech demos, a bustling trade fair, and the inaugural Cattle Australia Cup campdrafting competition.
Cattle Connect is your chance to connect across the beef supply chain and help shape a sustainable, profitable future for the sector.
For more information and to register, visit aapevents.eventsair.com/25cc/
Resource of the month
DAFF’s Poultry Post newsletter
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has launched Poultry Post — a new email newsletter for domestic and commercial bird owners and poultry producers.
Launched on World Egg Day (10 October), Poultry Post shares practical biosecurity advice, timely alerts, and updates to help protect birds from threats like H5 bird flu.