CEO UPDATE
Looking forward to connecting at Member Engagement Week
In just a few days, we’ll welcome members from across government and industry to Canberra for our second Member Engagement Week (MEW) of 2025.
Held twice a year, MEW is an important opportunity for us to come together, share insights, and collaborate on the future of national biosecurity and emergency animal disease preparedness.
I’m especially looking forward to the face-to-face conversations — both formal and informal — that make this week so valuable. Whether during a workshop or over morning tea, these in-person interactions are essential to helping us work together, understand common challenges, and spark new and exciting ideas.
Once again, the first two days of the event will be capped off with an evening of informal networking — a great opportunity to connect, catch up, and keep the conversations going.
I look forward to a productive, engaging and energising week ahead.
MEW agendas and papers
EADRA Workshop
Session papers have been emailed to registered members. If you didn’t receive yours, contact: eadra@animalhealthaustralia.com.au
Industry Forum and Government Forums
Agendas have been emailed to registered members. If you didn’t receive yours, contact the session facilitator:
Industry Forum: industryforum@animalhealthaustralia.com.au
Government Forum: mcozens@animalhealthaustralia.com.au
Members’ Forum
There are no formal papers, but we will discuss the upcoming review of the AHA Member Charter. Please read the charter beforehand.
Regards
Dr Samantha Allan
MEMBER UPDATE
National Animal Health Database update
Throughout May to July 2025, we partnered with Accelio and Scientell to conduct a comprehensive stakeholder engagement process to inform the development of a future-ready animal health surveillance platform. Through consultations, a national survey, and virtual workshops, over 100 stakeholders helped identify shared priorities, data needs, and integration challenges.
These insights will guide a more coordinated and forward-looking animal health surveillance system. We thank all members for their valuable contributions and look forward to sharing key findings at Member Engagement Week.
AHA training updates
South Australia Liaison – Livestock Industry (LLI) Workshop
Registrations for the SA LLI Workshop in Adelaide on 30 October close on 19 September! If any Peak Industry Bodies (PIBs) have candidates they would like to send to training, please provide them with the registration details and contact trainingsupport@animalhealthaustralia.com.au to let us know.
National Animal Health Training Reference Group (NAHTRG) update
The AHA Training Team met with the NAHTRG in early September to discuss workshops, exercises, and resources being produced that would benefit the broader membership. To stay up to date, subscribe to the NAHTRG newsletter.
LLI Network Maintenance Guidelines still open for feedback from Peak Industry Bodies (PIBs)
Last opportunity for PIBs to review the final draft of the LLI Network Maintenance Guidelines!
This guide supports PIBs in developing and coordinating their LLI networks and aligns with recommendations from Exercise Audiatur and Industry Forum-identified priorities.
AHA will keep the line open for feedback until the end of September, following Member Engagement Week. To access the draft, contact trainingsupport@animalhealthaustralia.com.au.
Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA) update
The EADRA Workshop will be held on Tuesday 23 September 2025 as part of Member Engagement Week.
The focus of the workshop will be to discuss the outcomes and prioritise work 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 following items will be discussed:
- High level overview of the 2024 HPAI responses and briefing for all Parties on the conduct and report of the 2024 HPAI AAR.
- High level review and prioritisation of key bodies of work arising from the 2024 HPAI AAR.
- Discussion on work led by AHA or where AHA has a major role and consideration of the need to reprioritise existing work where required.
Meeting papers have been distributed to all EADRA stakeholders, with government and industry virtual briefings held on 2 – 3 September.
If you have any questions about the workshop, please reach out to the EADRA team at eadra@animalhealthaustralia.com.au.
AUSVETPLAN Technical Review Group (TRG) update
The AUSVETPLAN TRG met face-to-face in Melbourne, Victoria, from 26–28 August 2025. Alongside routine administrative items, the TRG:
- Discussed the AUSVETPLAN manual prioritisation process, including the importance of broader AHA member consultation.
- The group also commenced preliminary discussions on the key 2025-26 workplan activities, including updates to the AUSVETPLAN guidance documents for both tracing and surveillance, and movement controls.
Updates on these activities, as well as progress on AUSVETPLAN manuals currently with their respective writing groups or within the approvals process, will be shared during Member Engagement Week.
The TRG meeting was highly productive, and the AUSVETPLAN team looks forward to continuing these conversations with the wider AHA membership in the next phase of work.
Updated strategies boost sheep and wool biosecurity
Australia’s sheep meat and wool industries have updated their biosecurity strategies to better manage disease risks and prepare for emergency outbreaks.
The National Sheep Industry Biosecurity Strategy and the Wool Industry Post-farmgate Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Preparedness and Response RD&E Strategy 2025–2030 work hand in hand to help manage disease risks, protect market access, and keep the supply chain strong.
Developed with input from across industry and supported by Animal Health Australia, the strategies focus on early detection, fast response, and recovery. Importantly, they align with national biosecurity frameworks to help keep Australia’s livestock sector strong, resilient, and ready for market.
Download the strategies to see how they support a whole-of-industry approach to biosecurity and emergency preparedness.
Churchill Fellowship to boost egg industry biosecurity
Melinda Hashimoto, CEO of Egg Farmers of Australia, has been awarded a Churchill Fellowship to study Japan’s response to H5 Avian Influenza. Her project will explore how Japanese agencies and researchers manage outbreaks, with the aim of applying these insights to strengthen biosecurity in Australia’s egg industry.
“Japan has deep expertise in managing avian influenza,” Melinda said. “I’m excited to connect directly with experts and bring back practical strategies to support our farmers.”
Melinda’s career spans education, government, and advocacy, with a strong focus on food safety, animal welfare, and ethical leadership. She has helped shape national biosecurity policy and is a passionate advocate for mentoring and collaboration.
Congratulations, Melinda, on this well-earned recognition and opportunity!
2025 International Sheep Veterinary Congress
Registrations are open for the 2025 International Sheep Veterinary Congress, which will take place on 27–31 October in Wollongong.
This global event welcomes veterinarians, researchers and industry professionals to explore cutting-edge sheep health science under the theme “Healthy Sheep to Feed and Clothe the World.”
This is the first congress to be hosted in Australia in 28 years and aims to shine a spotlight on the indispensable role of sheep health within the global ecosystem.
This event is proudly sponsored by Animal Health Australia, Sheep Producers Australia and WoolProducers Australia.
Register by 3 October at www.isvc2025.com.
Resource of the month
Farm Biosecurity website
The Farm Biosecurity website is a one-stop shop for producers, offering easy-to-follow advice, downloadable resources and sector-specific guidance to help manage biosecurity risks.
Developed by Animal Health Australia and Plant Health Australia, it supports producers in protecting their animals, crops and livelihoods.