ANIMAL HEALTH IN AUSTRALIA€¦ · Animal Health in Australia . series of annual reports presents a...

2009ANIMAL HEALTH IN AUSTRALIA

© Animal Health Australia 2010

Preferred citationAnimal Health Australia (2010). Animal Health in Australia 2009, Canberra, Australia.

AcknowledgmentsThe Animal Health in Australia 2009 report draws together information provided primarily by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and state and territory government agencies. Animal Health Australia maintains responsibility for production of the report for the Australian Chief Veterinary Officer as part of the National Animal Health Information System (NAHIS).

Animal Health Australia would like to acknowledge the efforts of all contributors to this report, including the NAHIS Editorial Panel. Appreciation is also extended to the national and state coordinators for NAHIS, and the organisations and individuals who contributed photos for the report.

DisclaimerThis publication is published by Animal Health Australia for information purposes only. Information contained in it is drawn from a variety of sources external to Animal Health Australia. Although reasonable care was taken in its preparation, Animal Health Australia does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, reliability, completeness or currency of the information, or its usefulness in achieving any purpose.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Animal Health Australia will not be liable for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred in or arising by reason of any person relying on the information in this publication. Persons should accordingly make and rely on their own assessments and enquiries to verify the accuracy of the information provided.

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ISBN 978 1 876714 90 1

Technical editing by Biotext, Canberra Designed and typeset by: Meta Design Studio Printed by: Paragon Printers Australasia Produced by Animal Health Australia Cover photograph: Animal Health Australia

FeedbackComments and suggestions regarding the Animal Health in Australia 2009 report are welcomed. Please forward all correspondence to the Manager, Corporate Communications, Animal Health Australia, via email at [email protected].

FOREWORDThis thirteenth volume in the Animal Health in Australia series of annual reports presents a comprehensive summary of Australia’s animal health system and status in 2009. It includes reports from ongoing programs, status reports on nationally significant terrestrial and aquatic animal diseases, and descriptions of new initiatives introduced during the year.

On 18 December 2008, the Australian Government released the report of the independent review of Australia’s quarantine and biosecurity arrangements — One Biosecurity: A Working Partnership — and its preliminary response, agreeing in principle to all 84 recommendations. The report concluded that Australia operates a sound biosecurity system that can be improved further to deal with increasing risks arising from climate change, globalisation, population spread and increased passenger and cargo movements. Its recommendations are designed to improve the good aspects of the current system and to rectify any shortcomings. The government’s response to the proposed reforms progressed during 2009 to enhance the nation’s biosecurity system, while facilitating trade and minimising the potential impact of pests and diseases.

Last year, I outlined some Australian Government actions arising from the Callinan Inquiry into the 2007 equine influenza outbreak. In 2009, two independent assessment reports to the minister were released on the progress of the Australian Government’s response. These reports found that the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry continues to make good progress on implementing the government’s response. Furthermore, the Interim Inspector-General of Horse Importation’s report to the minister stated that Biosecurity Australia and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service had done much work to improve the horse importation system since the Callinan Report, and that the effectiveness and integrity of importation arrangements had been substantially strengthened. I am also pleased with and appreciate the progress made to date.

In May 2009, the Primary Industries Ministerial Council endorsed the new Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines—Land Transport of Livestock, which was developed by an expert working group under the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy. Implementation of these guidelines by the states and territories is an expected priority for 2010.

One major focus for animal health in the latter half of 2009 included the first case of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus in Australian pigs on 31 July 2009 in New South Wales, and later in Victoria and Queensland. In each case, clinical signs were mild, with a consistent feature being reduced appetite in breeding animals. Human-to-pig transmission was implicated in these incidents. Influenza in pigs is a notifiable disease in Australia. The national control strategy is based on containment of infection in the piggery. It is important that all piggeries maintain a high level of biosecurity to reduce the risk of this virus being introduced via infected personnel.

Another major focus was the two separate incidents of Hendra virus infection in Queensland in mid-2009. The veterinarian attending a horse from the first incident, before the Hendra diagnosis was made, became infected and died. This tragic loss reminds us to consider unusual diseases in the list of possible diagnoses and to ensure we take appropriate biosecurity precautions. Hendra virus infection in horses and humans is an extremely rare event. In many of the incidents to date, the primary case has been identified retrospectively. Biosecurity remains the key to preventing such incidents. Furthermore, the Australian Wildlife Health Network monitors bats for Hendra virus and lyssavirus using submissions from network subscribers and state and territory wildlife coordinators, and collates this information within a database for further analysis.

Australia’s National Strategic Plan for Aquatic Animal Health — AQUAPLAN 2005–2010 — is a comprehensive strategy to build and improve managerial capacity for Australia’s aquatic animal health. From 1 July 2009, the Animal Health Committee took leadership of this plan. The plan includes a national approach to emergency disease preparedness and response (AQUAVETPLAN). Two disease strategy manuals are being revised in 2009–10 — white spot disease (of prawns) and viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (of fish). Similarly, the terrestrial animal disease strategy manuals under AUSVETPLAN (which outlines Australia’s plans for emergency animal disease responses) have been under review. In 2009, disease strategy manuals such as infectious bursal disease, equine influenza, Australian bat lyssavirus, Aujeszky’s disease and classical swine fever received scrutiny. Industry enterprise manuals were also being reviewed or developed by various industries. I wish to thank everyone who made contributions to such manuals and plans.

The National Significant Disease Investigation Program was successfully piloted in 2009. This program, designed to strengthen Australia’s general surveillance capability,

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broadly defines significant diseases as those that may impact trade, regional or national productivity, or public health. The aim is to boost Australia’s capacity for early disease detection by subsidising the cost of disease investigations by private veterinary practitioners and thus increasing their participation in disease surveillance. Reports from the investigations will be collated centrally into the National Animal Health Information System. This program, when fully implemented in 2010, will be additional to other state and territory surveillance programs. Also in 2009, the strategy reference group of the National Animal Health Surveillance Strategy made recommendations on the future needs of national animal health surveillance. This group considered that Australia’s animal disease surveillance system is effective for new and emerging disease detections. It was also recognised that this system will need improvements to handle future challenges. In addition, two important exercises were held in 2009 —Exercise DIVA (Victorian Department of Primary Industries) and Exercise Loeffler (CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory) — based on simulated foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks.

The national wild bird surveillance component of the department’s Avian Influenza Program continues to provide valuable information on avian influenza virus subtypes circulating in Australian wild birds. In 2009, no highly pathogenic avian influenza subtypes were found.

In November 2009, the 26th Conference of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Regional Commission for Asia, the Far East and Oceania was held in Shanghai, China. Australia has an important leadership role in this region. The region has the highest number of people and animals, and much experience with

emerging, zoonotic diseases such as SARS and avian influenza H5N1. At the conference, the region agreed to strive for a stronger voice in the OIE forum. In 2010, the President of the Regional Commission (Dr Kawashima of Japan) and I will be working together to develop an OIE regional plan that will progress the interests of our region within the OIE.

Building on the activities presented here for 2009, my other priorities for 2010 are to continue leading the development of key national animal health policies, minimise the risks of an emergency animal disease incursion, and maintain and improve Australia’s favourable animal health status to support the productivity of Australia’s animal-dependent industries and trade and market access for their animals and related products.

To achieve these goals, we will continue to strengthen Australia’s animal disease prevention, preparedness and response capabilities through the programs and initiatives described within this publication. We will also maintain active collaboration and build strategic relationships with countries in the region.

This report contains details of a comprehensive range of the programs, significant activities and developments within animal health in Australia. I commend the report to you.

Andy Carroll Australian Chief Veterinary Officer

Ian Gardener

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CONTENTS

FOREWORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

1 ORGANISATION OF THE ANIMAL HEALTH SYSTEM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Australian Government committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Animal Health Australia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Australian Wildlife Health Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Australian Government animal health services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

State and territory animal health services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Private veterinary services and veterinary education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

SAFEMEAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

National Livestock Identification System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Livestock industry quality assurance programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

2 TERRESTRIAL ANIMAL HEALTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Notifiable animal diseases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

National reporting system for animal diseases in Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Endemic diseases of national significance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

American foulbrood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Anthrax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Caprine arthritis–encephalitis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Cattle tick and tick fever. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Enzootic bovine leucosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Equine herpesvirus 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

European foulbrood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Johne’s disease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Mastitis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Newcastle disease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Ovine brucellosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Ovine footrot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Small hive beetle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Swine brucellosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

3 AQUATIC ANIMAL HEALTH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Status of aquatic animal health in Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

National aquatic animal health policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Aquatic animal disease emergency preparedness and response. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Regional aquatic animal health initiatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

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4 TERRESTRIAL ANIMAL DISEASE SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING. . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Surveillance programs managed by Animal Health Australia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Programs and activities managed by the Australian Wildlife Health Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Programs and activities managed by other organisations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Surveillance programs in Northern Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Public health surveillance for zoonotic diseases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

5 MANAGING ANIMAL HEALTH EMERGENCIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Response plans and coordination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

Preparedness initiatives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

Increasing awareness and understanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

Biosecurity planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

Preparedness against specific diseases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

Emergency animal disease responses in 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

6 IMPORTS AND EXPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Quarantine and biosecurity review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

Imports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

Exports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

7 CONSUMER PROTECTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Regulations and standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88

Protective measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89

Inspection and monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90

8 ANIMAL WELFARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Significant events in 2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94

Australian Animal Welfare Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94

National standards and guidelines for the welfare of animals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

Livestock exports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99

Achieving nationally consistent welfare outcomes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99

International animal welfare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99

Livestock slaughter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101

Mulesing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101

9 REGIONAL ANIMAL HEALTH INITIATIVES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Overseas aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104

International animal health research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106

10 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

CSIRO Livestock Industries — Australian Animal Health Laboratory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110

Cooperative research centres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110

University research programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113

Research and development corporations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115

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TABLES

Table 1.1 Veterinarians and other animal health personnel, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Table 1.2 Members of Animal Health Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Table 2.1 Australia’s status for OIE-listed diseases of terrestrial animals, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Table 2.2 Australia’s status for other diseases of terrestrial animals that are reported to the OIE each year, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Table 2.3 Progress towards the industry cell-count goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Table 2.4 Ovine brucellosis accredited–free flocks, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Table 3.1 Australia’s status for OIE-listed diseases of aquatic animals, 2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Table 3.2 Australia’s status for other significant diseases of aquatic animals, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Table 4.1 Summary of results from the National Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies Surveillance Program, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Table 4.2 Samples examined for parasites of bees and pest bee species (by state or territory), 2009 . . . . . . .57

Table 4.3 Samples examined for parasites of bees and pest bee species (by agent), 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Table 4.4 Serological tests for Brucella abortus in Australia, abortion serology, 2003–09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Table 4.5 Serological tests for Brucella abortus in Australia, other serology, 2003–09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Table 4.6 Incidence of selected zoonotic diseases, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Table A1.1 Trends in livestock numbers (millions), 2005–09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120

Table A1.2 Australian beef cattle production, 2007–09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120

Table A1.3 Australian sheep production, 2007–09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121

Table A1.4 Australian dairy production, 2007–09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122

Table A1.5 Australian pig production, 2007–09. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122

Table A1.6 Australian poultry production, 2007–09. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123

Table A1.7 Estimated Australian fisheries production, 2008–09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123

Table A1.8 Australian aquaculture production, 2007–08 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124

APPENDIX 1 LIVESTOCK INDUSTRIES IN AUSTRALIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

APPENDIX 2 ANIMAL HEALTH CONTACTS IN AUSTRALIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

APPENDIX 3 INVESTIGATIONS OF EMERGENCY DISEASES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

APPENDIX 4 RESEARCH PROJECTS IN LIVESTOCK HEALTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

APPENDIX 5 KEY AUSTRALIAN ANIMAL HEALTH WEBSITES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173

GLOSSARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177

INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181

vii

FIGURES

Figure 1.1 Organisation of animal health management committees and organisations in Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Figure 2.1 Sources of data in the National Animal Health Information System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Figure 2.2 Areas of Australia where anthrax is known to occur sporadically; lighter colour indicates fewer occurrences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Figure 3.1 Distribution of World Organisation for Animal Health–listed aquatic animal diseases within Australia . . .43

Figure 4.1 Location of monitoring sites for the National Arbovirus Monitoring Program, 2008–09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Figure 4.2 Limits of bluetongue virus in Australia, 2006–07 to 2008–09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Figure 4.3 Limits of Akabane virus in Australia, 2006–07 to 2008–09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Figure 4.4 Limits of bovine ephemeral fever virus in Australia, 2006–07 to 2008–09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Figure A1.1 Beef cattle distribution by state and territory, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120

Figure A1.2 Sheep distribution by state and territory, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121

Table A1.9 Volume of Australian meat exports (kilotonnes), 2006–09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125

Table A1.10 Australian dairy production and exports, 2006–09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126

Table A1.11 Australian seafood production and exports (kilotonnes), 2006–09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126

Table A3.1 Investigations of potential and other emergency diseases in Australia, 2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136

Table A4.1 Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Australian Animal Health Laboratory research projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144

Table A4.2 Australian Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre for Emerging Infectious Disease research projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145

Table A4.3 Cooperative Research Centre for an Internationally Competitive Pork Industry research projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146

Table A4.4 Australian Poultry Cooperative Research Centre research projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146

Table A4.5 Cooperative Research Centre for Beef Genetic Technologies research projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148

Table A4.6 Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation research projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149

Table A4.7 Faculty of Veterinary Science (University of Sydney) animal health research projects . . . . . . . . . .150

Table A4.8 Faculty of Veterinary Science (University of Melbourne) animal health research projects . . . . . . .152

Table A4.9 School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences (Charles Sturt University) animal health research projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155

Table A4.10 School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences (Murdoch University) animal health research projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156

Table A4.11 University of Queensland animal health research projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157

Table A4.12 School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences (James Cook University) livestock and wildlife research projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159

Table A4.13 Meat & Livestock Australia animal health research projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160

Table A4.14 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation animal health research projects . . . . . .161

Table A4.15 Dairy Australia research projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164

Table A4.16 Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram) animal health research projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166

Table A4.17 Australian Wool Innovation Ltd research projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167

viii

OVERVIEWParticipants in Australia’s animal health system include the Australian Government, state and territory governments, livestock industries, research organisations, animal health laboratories, private veterinary practitioners, and those involved in wild and feral animal health. A link between these is provided by partnerships with Animal Health Australia. The Australian Wildlife Health Network provides linkages with wild and feral animal organisations. All participants work together to ensure a high standard of animal health in Australia.

This report describes Australia’s animal health system, the current status of animal health in Australia and significant events in 2009.

Organisation of the animal health systemChapter 1 describes the roles of participants in the national animal health system. It also describes the operation of the National Livestock Identification System and quality assurance programs in the livestock industries. Australia’s livestock industries are summarised in Appendix 1.

During 2009, the National Livestock Identification System, which is fully implemented for cattle, was further developed for sheep, goats, pigs and alpacas. Quality assurance programs for the pork industry were reviewed, and the two existing programs were combined to create a new Australian Pork Industry Quality Program, which will be implemented during 2010–11. Also finalised during 2009 were the National Farm Biosecurity Manual for Poultry Production and an auditable animal welfare standard for all aspects of the chicken meat industry.

Terrestrial animal healthChapter 2 describes Australia’s status for nationally significant diseases of terrestrial animals — these include diseases that are notifiable to the World Organisation for Animal Health, as well as other diseases of national significance. Details are given of the distribution and occurrence of endemic diseases of national significance in Australia during 2009, and the control programs that are in place for these diseases. This chapter also describes the operation of the national reporting system for animal diseases in Australia, the National Animal Health Information System (NAHIS).

Aquatic animal healthChapter 3 provides details of the status in Australia of aquatic animal diseases of national significance, and the system for responding to aquatic animal disease events and preparing for such events. Several manuals that form part of AQUAVETPLAN — the Australian Aquatic Veterinary Emergency Plan — were revised in 2009.

Disease events reported in 2009 were abalone viral ganglioneuritis in wild abalone in some parts of Victoria, and in wild-caught abalone in a live abalone processing facility in Tasmania. Tasmania also reported infection with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in amphibians.

Chapter 3 also describes Australia’s national aquatic animal health policy, the national strategic plan for aquatic animal health (AQUAPLAN 2005–2010), and Australia’s participation in projects relating to aquatic animal health in the Asia–Pacific region. During 2009, responsibility for policy and government decision making on aquatic animal health was transferred from the Aquatic Animal Health Committee to the Animal

Rebecca Wiltshire

Overview 1

Health Committee. Under AQUAPLAN, a government–industry working group made progress by developing formal arrangements between aquatic industries and governments for managing emergency animal disease incidents involving aquatic animals.

Terrestrial animal disease surveillance and monitoringDisease surveillance and monitoring programs, an important component of the animal health system, are described in Chapter 4. They include programs managed by Animal Health Australia, the Australian Wildlife Health Network and the Australian, state and territory governments.

Following a successful pilot project in 2009, Animal Health Australia has established the National Significant Disease Investigation Program. This program, which is funded by livestock industry and government subscriptions, aims to increase the participation of private veterinary practitioners in disease surveillance by subsidising the cost of their disease investigations.

Some of the results from disease surveillance and monitoring programs in 2009 were:

• continued freedom from

− bluetongue virus in major Australian sheep populations (National Arbovirus Monitoring Program)

− scrapie and bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Australian animals and animal products (Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Freedom Assurance Program)

• no evidence or detection of

− highly pathogenic avian influenza in any of the wild bird mortalities that were investigated (Australian Wildlife Health Network)

− highly pathogenic avian influenza, surra, screw-worm fly, Japanese encephalitis, foot-and-mouth disease, classical swine fever or exotic strains of bluetongue virus in northern Australia (Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy)

• continued detection and destruction of nests and swarms of the Asian honey bee, Apis cerana, in the Cairns region (Biosecurity Queensland); this incursion was originally detected in 2007

• identification of the bacterium Streptococcus agalactiae as the causal agent of wild javelin grouper mortalities in north Queensland coastal waters (Biosecurity Queensland)

• detection of Australian bat lyssavirus in bats (state animal and public health laboratories, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Australian Animal Health Laboratory and the Australian Wildlife Health Network).

Managing animal health emergenciesChapter 5 describes arrangements that are in place for Australia to prepare for and respond to emergency animal diseases, including planning, training and communication. The chapter also describes emergency animal disease responses during 2009.

The Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan (AUSVETPLAN) sets out the policies, roles and responsibilities to be followed in an emergency animal disease response. In 2009, several AUSVETPLAN manuals were updated. Animal Health Australia reviewed the disease strategy for equine influenza, taking into account the lessons learnt from the 2007 outbreak of this disease in Australia. Industry biosecurity plans are another component of emergency animal disease preparedness, and work by individual industries to develop their biosecurity plans continued during 2009.

Under the National Emergency Animal Disease Training Program, the Emergency Animal Disease Response Preparedness and Capability Enhancement Program was introduced in 2009. This program delivers training courses to government and nongovernment personnel to ensure that they have the skills to respond to an emergency animal disease.

A number of communication activities took place during 2009, including training for communications professionals who are involved in an emergency animal disease response, and education of farm workers about biosecurity.

Emergency animal disease outbreaks that required responses during the year involved Hendra virus, Asian honey bees and the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus. Work continued towards preparing for incursions of other specific diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease and avian influenza.

2 Animal Health in Australia 2009

Imports and exportsBiosecurity Australia and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service help maintain Australia’s animal health status by managing pest and disease threats from imports. They also provide technical input for the export of agricultural produce. Chapter 6 describes these activities.

The Australian Government has begun to implement the recommendations of the review of Australia’s quarantine and biosecurity arrangements that concluded in December 2008. Key activities include developing new biosecurity legislation to replace the Quarantine Act 1908 and other pieces of legislation, developing a national agreement on biosecurity with state and territory governments, and putting in place interim governance arrangements.

The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service established an expert group on horse importation, following the inquiry into Australia’s equine influenza outbreak in 2007. The group has recommended further improvements to protect Australia from biosecurity risks from the importation of horses. In November 2009, Biosecurity Australia issued a draft import risk analysis for the importation of horses from approved countries for public comment. Biosecurity Australia has also made progress with import risk analyses for ornamental finfish, chicken meat, and prawns and prawn products.

Consumer protectionActivities to ensure that locally produced foods are safe for consumers are described in Chapter 7. They include programs administered by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, Food Standards Australia New Zealand, the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, state and territory government agencies, and Animal Health Australia. Protective measures involve surveillance for communicable diseases and foodborne disease; monitoring for residues of agricultural and veterinary chemicals and other contaminants; and inspection of meat. The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service also inspects and certifies meat, dairy products, seafood and eggs for export.

During 2009, Australia continued to participate in the development of international science-based food standards through the Codex Alimentarius Commission, and in the development of Australian food standards through Food Standards Australia New Zealand.

Animal welfareThe Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS) — developed jointly by the Australian Government, state and territory governments, industry bodies and community organisations — provides a national framework to ensure animal welfare. Chapter 8 reports on activities under the strategy and on Australia’s contribution to international animal welfare initiatives.

Animal Health Australia

Overview 3

Expert working groups under the AAWS have continued to make progress towards improving animal welfare in six specified animal sectors. Highlights during 2009 included:

• initiating a project to begin developing welfare codes of practice for the commercial wild-capture fishing industries

• developing Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Horses

• performing a national survey of working dogs in Australia

• starting a national animal welfare standard for dogs and cats

• launching an educational DVD — Caring for Dogs, Community and Country — for environmental health practitioners in rural and remote Indigenous communities

• endorsing Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines: Land Transport of Livestock (by the Primary Industries Ministerial Council).

Three other working groups under the AAWS manage education and training, communications, and research and development. The communication and education working groups have begun a review of the communication section in the AAWS. The group aims to improve networks and processes for sharing information about animal welfare. In the research area, a joint New Zealand–Australia OIE Collaborating Centre for Animal Welfare Science and Bioethical Analysis was endorsed by all 174 member countries of the OIE at its general session in May 2009.

Australia is converting its model codes of practice for the welfare of animals to Australian animal welfare standards and guidelines, and work continued in this area in 2009. The result will be documents that are consistent with the animal welfare legislation of the states and territories. Priorities are the development of standards and guidelines for sheep and cattle, as well as implementation of the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines: Land Transport of Livestock.

Australia participates in international activities relating to animal welfare, including activities of the World Organisation for Animal Health, the European Union, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

In May 2009, the Australian Government announced a three-year, $3.2 million Live Trade Animal Welfare Partnership with Middle Eastern trading partners, funded jointly by government and industry. Improvements funded by this partnership will include better infrastructure to reduce livestock stress or injury, and training for feedlot and transport staff in overseas markets.

Regional animal health initiativesAustralia assists countries in the Asia–Pacific region and Africa with improving the health of their livestock through aid (through AusAID — the Australian Agency for International Development) and research (through ACIAR — the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research). Chapter 9 describes Australia’s main areas of activity in terrestrial animal health in these regions. The focus is on Australia’s near neighbours: Papua New Guinea, East Timor (Timor-Leste), Indonesia, Cambodia and Laos.

The Sanitary and Phytosanitary Capacity Building Program was formally completed on 30 June 2009. The program aimed to increase the technical, scientific and managerial capacities of agencies in member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The aim is that these countries will be able to meet the sanitary and phytosanitary standards of the World Trade Organization Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. The final year of the program saw the completion of a series of training workshops on integrated approaches to disease management, and a number of activities relating to management of foot-and-mouth disease in the region.

Research and developmentChapter 10 summarises Australian research in livestock health during 2009, and Appendix 4 lists some of the research projects. Research relating to livestock health is conducted by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, cooperative research centres, university veterinary science faculties or schools, and industry-based research and development corporations.


Jon Condon

Gregory J O’Brien


ORGANISATION OF THE ANIMAL HEALTH SYSTEM

Cooperative partnerships between all levels of government and the animal industries are central to achieving effective national surveillance and control of animal diseases in Australia.This introductory chapter describes the organisation of the national animal health system in Australia, including the roles of government and nongovernment organisations.

In Australia, the traditional role of governments in managing animal health is complemented by a close association with the livestock industries. National animal health priorities are determined in consultation with the livestock industries, which participate in policy development, support targeted activities and contribute to emergency responses. Australia’s livestock industries are described in Appendix 1.

The Australian Government is responsible for quarantine at the Australian border and international animal health matters, including disease reporting, export certification and trade negotiation. It advises

Organisation of the animal health system 7

on and coordinates national policy and, in some circumstances, provides financial assistance for national animal disease control programs.

Australian state and territory governments are responsible for disease control, disease eradication and quarantine within their own boundaries. For animal health administration, the states and territories are divided into veterinary regions or districts. Within these, government animal health services are provided by government veterinary officers and qualified animal health technicians.

The national animal health system includes all organisations, government agencies, commercial companies and individuals that are involved in the livestock production chain. Linkages with wild and feral animal health are provided through the Australian Wildlife Health Network (AWHN).

Table 1.1 shows the numbers and categories of veterinarians and other animal health personnel in Australia.

Australian Government committeesConsultative committees ensure that all components of the animal1 health system (described below and shown in Figure 1.1) work together to serve the interests of Australia. Animal Health Australia (AHA) provides linkages through its members: the Australian Government, state and territory governments, the peak national councils of Australia’s livestock industries and service providers (see Table 1.2).

Primary industries committeesThe Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC)2 is the peak government forum for consulting on and coordinating and integrating government action on

1 Animals include terrestrial and aquatic animals.2 www.mincos.gov.au

national primary industries issues. PIMC comprises the Australian national, state and territory, and New Zealand ministers responsible for the agriculture, food, fibre, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture industries, and for production in these industries. The council’s aims are to develop and promote sustainable, innovative and profitable industries in these commodities.

PIMC is supported by a permanent committee, the Primary Industries Standing Committee (PISC). This committee comprises the heads of the Australian national, state and territory, and New Zealand departments of agriculture; representatives of the Bureau of Meteorology; and representatives of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

The National Biosecurity Committee (NBC)3 is the advisory committee to PISC and PIMC on all biosecurity issues, including animal, plant and environmental biosecurity issues. NBC provides strategic leadership, across jurisdictions and sectors, in national approaches to emerging and ongoing biosecurity policy issues.

The Animal Welfare Committee provides advice to PISC on animal welfare matters through the Animal Welfare and Product Integrity Taskforce. Some aquatic animal health issues, which have environmental impacts, are managed through the natural resource management committee structure.

Animal Health CommitteeThe Animal Health Committee (AHC)4 provides strategic scientific and policy advice on animal biosecurity matters to government through NBC, PISC and PIMC. AHC prioritises and coordinates activities in national animal health, domestic quarantine and veterinary public health by driving the development of policy, operational strategies and standards for government.

3 www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/pihc 4 www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/animal/committees/ahc

Table 1.1 Veterinarians and other animal health personnel, 2009

Veterinarians Auxiliary personnel

Government 642 Stock inspectors, meat inspectors, etc 872

Laboratories, universities, etc 544

Private practitioners 8078

Other veterinarians 697

Total 9961 Total 872


http://www.mincos.gov.au/http://www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/pihchttp://www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/animal/committees/ahc

In 2009, the scope of AHC’s work was extended to include responsibility for aquatic animal health issues (see Chapter 3).

AHC membership comprises the national, state and territory chief veterinary officers (CVOs) and representatives from CSIRO, Biosecurity Australia and New Zealand. The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) is an observer. Although AHA cannot be a formal member on this government committee, it participates in AHC meetings and contributes to out-of-session activities.

AHC is advised by three subcommittees: the Subcommittee on Animal Health Laboratory Standards, the Subcommittee on Emergency Animal Disease and the Subcommittee on Aquatic Animal Health. Specialist ad hoc working groups are also formed to advise AHC on technical or policy issues as they arise.

AHC consults with the animal industries through newsletters, membership of AHA and the participation of industry in AHC meetings. Aquatic industries are consulted through the National Aquatic Animal Health Industry Reference Group and the Australian Fisheries Managers Forum. Those with an interest in zoo, wild or feral animals are consulted through the AWHN.

Animal Health Laboratory NetworkThe Australian Government, state and territory governments and the private sector maintain a network of world-class animal health laboratories — the Animal Health Laboratory Network.5 Although laboratories in the different sectors and jurisdictions are managed separately, their activities and standards are coordinated nationally through the Subcommittee on Animal Health Laboratory Standards (SCAHLS).6

SCAHLS is the primary forum for networking of Australia’s animal health laboratories. It establishes, implements and monitors professional and technical standards. SCAHLS deals with quality assurance (QA) issues, training, development of new tests and test validation, and publishes the Australian and New Zealand Standard Diagnostic Procedures. It coordinates emergency disease preparedness within the laboratory network and oversees national reference laboratories. SCAHLS promoted the formation of the Australian Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians to provide ongoing professional development and scientific exchanges among laboratory staff.

5 www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/animal/system/lab-network6 www.scahls.org.au

Australia’s veterinary laboratories can test for endemic diseases, exotic or transboundary animal diseases (TADs), and emerging zoonoses. Laboratory preparedness for an emergency animal disease (EAD) is led by the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (CSIRO AAHL), which maintains diagnostic capability for all the major TADs. The state and territory government laboratories specialise in services relating to endemic diseases and are the primary providers of testing in support of animal exports.

Testing capability for surveillance for some TADs is being transferred from AAHL to state laboratories under controlled QA conditions. During the equine influenza outbreak in 2007, this capability supported the outbreak response. Some states have outsourced testing to the private sector, and this has led to a number of companies offering veterinary diagnostic services that are important to surveillance. Veterinary schools at universities offer diagnostic services in support of teaching and in specialty areas.

Laboratory standards, accreditation and quality assuranceVeterinary laboratories in Australia are accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025:2005 standard,7 administered by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), which is a member of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation. NATA accreditation is obligatory for laboratories participating in EAD testing and in testing in support of the international movement of animals.

A national proficiency testing program developed by SCAHLS is an important QA factor. The Australian National Quality Assurance Program (ANQAP)8 is an international proficiency testing program managed by the Victorian state laboratory. ANQAP supports areas of veterinary serology, virology and bacteriology on a fee-for-service basis. It focuses on providing proficiency testing for laboratories carrying out veterinary tests associated with quarantine, export health certification and disease control programs. Participation is not restricted, and overseas laboratories are encouraged to use the service. More than 30 veterinary laboratories from Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe and North America participate in the program.

AAHL collaborates with laboratories nationally and internationally to develop proficiency testing for real-time polymerase chain reaction tests for two major diseases — avian influenza and foot-and-mouth disease.

7 www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail?csnumber=398838 www.anqap.com


http://www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/animal/system/lab-networkhttp://www.scahls.org.au/http://www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail?csnumber=39883http://www.anqap.com/

SAFEMEAT

Government committee structure

Reporting

Figure 1.1 Organisation of animal health management committees and organisations in Australia

Government–industry partnerships

Subcommittee on Animal Health Laboratory Standards

Primary Industries Standing Committee

Primary Industries Ministerial Council

Subcommittee on Emergency Animal Diseases

Subcommittee on Aquatic Animal Health

Animal Health Committee

Ad hoc working groups as required

National Biosecurity Committee

Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council

Natural Resource Management Standing Committee

Animal Health Australia

Consultation

Figure 1.1 Organisation of animal health management committees and organisations in Australia


The Australian Animal Pathology Standards Program, run by AHA, offers histopathology proficiency testing for veterinary pathologists. The program was launched in 2006, and currently has 24 participating laboratories in Australia and overseas.

Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases When an emergency animal disease outbreak occurs, the Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases (CCEAD)9 is convened. CCEAD membership is similar to that of AHC but includes technical representatives from relevant industries. Further information about CCEAD’s membership and role is in Chapter 5.

Animal Health AustraliaAHA is an innovative partnership involving government, industry and other stakeholders in animal health. It aims to strengthen Australia’s national animal health system and maximise confidence in the safety and quality of Australia’s livestock products in domestic and overseas markets.

Within the framework of a not-for-profit public company, AHA manages more than 50 national programs on behalf of its members. These programs improve animal and human health, biosecurity, market access, livestock welfare, productivity, and food safety and quality.

AHA’s 30 members are spread across five categories: the Australian Government, state and territory governments, livestock industry organisations, service providers and nonprogram participants, and associate members. The current membership is shown in Table 1.2, and contact details for these organisations are provided in Appendix 2.

Specifically, the role of AHA is to:

• identify priorities for the national animal health system

• engage stakeholders in the animal health system in pursuing agreed priorities

• integrate activities of participants in the animal health system

• facilitate and manage national animal health programs

• evaluate outputs of the national animal health system

• assess and communicate performance of the national animal health system.

9 www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/animal/committees/ccead

AHA members help develop the National Animal Health Strategic Framework and AHA’s annual business plan through regular contact and formal meetings of the National Animal Health Consultative Group in May and September each year. The consultative group comprises representatives of all AHA’s members and consults with AHA on issues relating to both the national animal health system and AHA’s role in addressing those issues; it also has a role in prioritising AHA activities. A consultative process ensures that key strategic issues and emerging risks for all members are identified, and that AHA’s programs and projects align with the framework.

For more information about AHA, visit the website.10

National Animal Health Performance StandardsThe National Animal Health Performance Standards (NAHPS) provide a nationally consistent mechanism by which the member organisations of AHA can assess the threats facing them as components of the national animal health system, and their ability to respond to those threats. This assessment will allow available resources to be applied to areas of the national animal health system that have the greatest need or threat. The aim is to enhance domestic consumer confidence in Australia’s livestock products and access to international markets for these products.

10 www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au

Ron Malor


http://www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/animal/committees/cceadhttp://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/

The NAHPS was enhanced in response to the findings of an audit in 2007. In 2009, an audit on jurisdictional preparedness for EADs was performed. The audit showed that jurisdictions were more prepared than in 2007 to detect potential EAD incidents and to mount a primary response to an introduced disease. This followed several developments nationally and in jurisdictions since the 2007 audit, including:

• moves to whole-of-agency and whole-of-government structures and a broader ‘all-hazards’ approach to the management of biosecurity programs

• primary industries agencies becoming more aware that emergency management in agriculture is a core function requiring high levels of resources, especially trained people.

Using the outcomes of the 2009 audit, the performance standards will continue to be refined and a capability assessment checklist will be developed. Audit and reporting against the revised standards will commence in 2010.

Australian Wildlife Health NetworkAWHN is a not-for-profit organisation initiated by the Australian Government and funded under the Wildlife Exotic Disease Preparedness Program. AWHN was established to promote and facilitate collaborative links in the investigation and management of wildlife health in support of human and animal health, and biodiversity and trade. It actively encourages multi-organisational collaboration among federal, state, local government and nongovernment agencies. AWHN has about 350 members.

AWHN aims to maintain and coordinate a network of wildlife health expertise and resources and to provide coordination for national wildlife health surveillance and research needs and priorities, information about mass mortalities in wild fauna, and emerging diseases in wildlife that affect humans and production animals.

Its activities include:

• maintenance of a national database of wildlife health information

• contribution to the development of regional and national wildlife health emergencynpreparedness and response strategies

• facilitation and monitoring of field investigations of disease incidents

• advancement of education and training in wildlife health

• provision of information about wildlife health to the community.

AWHN has a major focus on human and animal health issues associated with free-ranging populations of wild animals but also works closely with zoos and wildlife parks where animal collections are held.

Australian Government animal health servicesThe Australian Government is responsible for animal and plant quarantine policy (including import risk assessments), quarantine operations (at the Australian border) and exports under the Australian Constitution. The animal health role of the Australian Government is delivered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). Within DAFF, Biosecurity Services Group (BSG)11 carries prime responsibility for biosecurity matters. Animal health issues fall within BSG’s Animal Division, and food safety and product integrity issues fall within BSG’s Food Division.

Animal Division includes:

• Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer

• Animal Health Programs Branch

• Animal Biosecurity

• Animal Quarantine and Export Operations

• Biological Quarantine Operations and Marine Pests.

Food Division includes:

• Export Standards

• Food Exports

• Residues and Food Safety

• Export Reform.

In addition, the Trade and Market Access Division of DAFF provides policy and strategic support for DAFF’s international activities.

11 www.daff.gov.au/bsg/biosecurity-services-group


http://www.daff.gov.au/bsg/biosecurity-services-group

CSIRO,12 Australia’s national science agency, works to develop and improve technologies in Australia and overseas, and to improve community understanding of science. It provides diagnostic services, exotic and emergency disease support, and independent scientific advice. CSIRO also operates AAHL, which is vital to maintaining Australia’s capability to quickly diagnose exotic and emerging animal diseases that may threaten Australia’s livestock, aquaculture species, wildlife or humans. AAHL is a national facility for disease diagnosis, training, technology transfer and animal health research. It develops diagnostic tests, vaccines and treatments for endemic animal diseases of national importance. The laboratory is a high-level biocontainment facility and is recognised as an international, regional and national reference laboratory.

The Australian Government is the nation’s largest single employer of veterinarians, providing an important reserve for the state and territory governments should there be an outbreak of a major EAD.

12 www.csiro.au/li

Office of the Chief Veterinary OfficerThe Office of the Australian Chief Veterinary Officer (OCVO)13 provides national leadership and direction on priority policy issues relating to national animal health. It manages international disease intelligence gathering, and provides scientific advice to government and industry stakeholders to reduce the potential impacts of disease on Australia’s animal health status. An epidemiology and disease modelling section provides high-level expertise, research and analysis to inform policy.

OCVO provides an international reference point on animal health, manages Australia’s commitments to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and manages communication with other international agencies involved with animal health.

13 www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/animal

Table 1.2 Members of Animal Health Australia

Government Industry

The Australian Government Australian Alpaca Association Ltd

State and territory governments: Australian Chicken Meat Federation Inc

• Australian Capital Territory Australian Dairy Farmers Ltd

• Northern Territory Australian Duck Meat Association Inc

• State of New South Wales Australian Egg Corporation Ltd

• State of Queensland Australian Honey Bee Industry Council Inc

• State of South Australia Australian Horse Industry Council Inc

• State of Tasmania Australian Lot Feeders’ Association Inc

• State of Victoria Australian Pork Ltd

• State of Western Australia Australian Racing Board Ltd

Cattle Council of Australia Inc

Equestrian Australia Ltd

Goat Industry Council of Australia Inc

Harness Racing Australia Inc

Sheepmeat Council of Australia Inc

WoolProducers Australia Ltd

Service providers Associate members

Australian Veterinary Association Ltd Australian Livestock Export Corporation (LiveCorp)

Council of Veterinary Deans of Australia and New Zealand National Aquaculture Council Inc

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)


http://www.csiro.au/lihttp://www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/animal

Animal Health Programs BranchThe Animal Health Programs (AHP) Branch represents DAFF on national animal health programs. AHP coordinates national animal surveillance and laboratory strategies; livestock disease prevention and preparedness activities; and emergency disease planning, training and awareness programs. The branch supports human and animal health, biodiversity and trade by collaborating with human health authorities and managing programs in wildlife health, aquatic health and veterinary public health.

AHP provides technical, executive and administrative support to national animal health committees, and their working groups and programs.

Biosecurity AustraliaBiosecurity Australia (BA)14 is a grouping within BSG, including Animal Biosecurity. It provides science-based quarantine assessments and policy advice to protect Australia’s favourable animal health status.

BA is responsible for developing and reviewing Australia’s quarantine policy through import risk analyses and policy reviews relating to the importation of live animals, animal reproductive material and animal products. It provides technical advice for negotiations on access to international markets for live animals and animal reproductive material, and contributes to the development of international quarantine standards.

Australian Quarantine and Inspection ServiceAQIS15 is a grouping within BSG and includes Animal Quarantine and Export Operations, Biological Quarantine Operations and Marine Pests, Export Standards, Food Exports, Residues and Food Safety, and Export Reform. AQIS delivers quarantine and export field services and manages quarantine controls at Australia’s border to minimise the risk of entry of exotic pests and diseases.

It also provides import and export inspection and certification — including export certification for live animals, animal reproductive material and animal products — to help retain Australia’s highly favourable animal, plant and human health status and wide access to overseas export markets.

14 www.daff.gov.au/ba 15 www.daff.gov.au/aqis

In some circumstances, the state and territory governments may act as agents of the Australian Government to deliver inspection and export certification services. AQIS-accredited veterinarians provide important export certification services for live animals and genetic material under the AQIS Accredited Export Veterinarians Program.

State and territory animal health servicesUnder the Australian Constitution, state and territory governments are responsible for animal health services within their respective borders (jurisdictions). Australia’s states and territories experience differences in climate and animal health issues, and therefore have distinctive approaches and separate legislation. A coordinated approach to national animal health issues is managed through AHC.

The state and territory governments develop and administer legislation governing livestock identification and movement (within and between states and territories), and manage surveillance, diagnosis, reporting and control of both notifiable diseases and chemical residues. Services provided include investigation and diagnosis of livestock disease outbreaks, and applied research. These require close links with livestock producers, industry organisations, private veterinarians, veterinary laboratories, livestock transport and marketing agents, and other stakeholders. An animal health unit, headed by the state or territory CVO, maintains these links.

The state and territory jurisdictions are divided into regions. Within the regions, regional veterinary officers supervise local veterinary officers and inspectors of livestock, who administer the relevant state and territory Acts and Regulations. The responsibility of regional veterinary officers includes:

• investigating and managing livestock disease, including EADs

• monitoring and ensuring compliance with animal identification systems and the supply of vendor declarations

• investigating reports of chemical contamination of livestock and implementing response plans to protect consumers from chemical residues

• maintaining producer awareness of best practice in local livestock management systems

• investigating complaints about the welfare of livestock


http://www.daff.gov.au/bahttp://www.daff.gov.au/aqis

• monitoring the health of feral animals and native wildlife to detect any incursion of new diseases of significance or exotic diseases

• educating livestock producers, industry organisations and service providers (transport and marketing) on their legislative obligations, relevant biosecurity and market assurance programs, and technological developments.

Local veterinary officers and livestock inspectors maintain records relating to individual enterprises. They ensure reliable certification of the animal health status of farms in their region, and of animals moving within Australia and to overseas destinations.

Private veterinary services and veterinary educationPrivate veterinary practitioners play a vital role in rural communities by providing livestock owners with animal health advice, investigation and treatment of disease. Private practitioners are an integral part of the animal disease preparedness programs developed for Australia’s livestock industries. Some private practitioners work as animal health consultants, and others work in private practice.

Veterinary practitioners must be registered in the state or territory in which they practise. Competency in recognising and diagnosing livestock diseases is an important part of veterinary education in Australia, and a prerequisite for registration as a veterinary surgeon. All veterinary practitioners must be able to promptly detect and investigate possible exotic diseases. State and territory authorities conduct awareness programs on notifiable and exotic livestock diseases for private veterinarians involved in livestock industries.

The Accreditation Program for Australian Veterinarians16 is a national program designed to integrate private veterinary practitioners into the national animal health system. This integration supports the international standing of Australia’s animal health capability. The aim of the program is to accredit nongovernment veterinarians who can use their skills and knowledge effectively to contribute to government and industry animal disease programs.

Other national programs that involve private veterinarians in the national animal health system are the Australian Veterinary Practitioners Surveillance Network (see Chapter 4), the Australian Veterinary Reserve

16 www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/training/apav.cfm

(see Chapter 5) and the National Significant Disease Investigation Program (see Chapter 4).

There are seven veterinary schools in Australia. Four of these — at the University of Queensland, the University of Sydney, the University of Melbourne and Murdoch University — are currently producing graduates. Two new schools — at James Cook University in regional Queensland and Charles Sturt University in regional New South Wales — will have their first students graduate in 2010. The University of Adelaide, which opened its school of veterinary science in 2008, will see its first students graduate in 2014. All Australian veterinary courses include strong undergraduate programs in the health of horses, companion animals, farmed livestock and wildlife, and in biosecurity and public health. The veterinary schools also provide research and postgraduate training relevant to Australia’s livestock industries.

Once every six years, an accreditation committee audits the curriculum of each of the established veterinary schools. Since 1999, this audit has been conducted by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Inc,17 which has an international representative on the accreditation committee. The council sets the standards for veterinary registration in Australasia and conducts the National Veterinary Examination for overseas-qualified veterinarians.

Agricultural collegesAgricultural colleges and other registered training organisations within the Australian vocational education and training sector provide training for veterinary nurses, animal technologists and others whose work involves the care of animals. This training meets the requirements of national competency standards and vocational qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework. The standards are agreed by industry, professional organisations and each jurisdiction. They are reviewed regularly and adjusted to meet changing requirements in the workplace and to incorporate the outcomes of research and development. Students can participate in full-time training, mix part-time training with work, or begin their program while they are still at school. One of the hallmarks of the system is the active involvement of industry groups and employers in providing training opportunities and work experience.

17 www.avbc.asn.au


http://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/training/apav.cfmhttp://www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/welfare

SAFEMEATSAFEMEAT,18 a partnership established by the peak red meat industry bodies19 and the federal, state and territory governments, reports to PISC. Its role is to oversee and promote sound management systems to deliver safe and hygienic products to the marketplace. Initiatives developed by SAFEMEAT include:

• targeted residue-monitoring programs — the National Residue Survey conducts testing on behalf of the red meat industries

• the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) — developed for cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, with a similar system under development for alpacas

18 www.safemeat.com.au 19 Australian Livestock & Property Agents Association, Australian

Livestock Exporters Council Ltd, Meat & Livestock Australia, Sheepmeat Council of Australia, WoolProducers Australia, Cattle Council of Australia, Australian Lot Feeders’ Association, Australian Meat Industry Council, Australian Dairy Farmers Ltd, Australian Pork Ltd, Livestock Saleyards Association of Australia, Saleyard Operators of Australia, and Animal Health Australia

• a system of national vendor declarations about the health of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs that are being traded

• strategies for animal disease issues affecting food safety, including the implications of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

SAFEMEAT’s business plan for 2008–10 sets out its strategic direction and future activities, which include:

• contributing to the review of national agricultural and veterinary chemicals policy

• contributing to briefings for Australia’s participation in the OIE, Codex and other international bodies that set food standards

• identifying implications for the meat sector of national and international requirements for residue testing

• developing and improving the NLIS for identification and tracing of livestock.

National Livestock Identification SystemThe NLIS is Australia’s system for livestock identification and traceability. It is intended that when fully implemented for a type of livestock, such as sheep, it will be a permanent whole-of-life system that allows animals to be identified individually, or by mob, and tracked from property of birth to slaughter, for food safety, product integrity and market access purposes. Australia’s state and territory governments are responsible for the legislation that governs animal movements, and therefore for the implementation of the NLIS.

Information on animal movements is recorded on movement documents and submitted to the NLIS database by producers, saleyard operators, livestock agents and processors. The NLIS has been fully implemented for cattle, with further improvements being undertaken for sheep, goats and pigs. The NLIS is being developed for alpacas.

The National Livestock Identification System databaseMeat & Livestock Australia (MLA) administers the NLIS database on behalf of industry and government stakeholders. This includes managing the development and operation of the database in accordance with stakeholder requirements.

Industry and Innovation NSW


http://www.safemeat.com.au/

The NLIS database includes a national vendor declaration (NVD) database, developed for the cattle, sheep, goat and pig industries.

NLIS Express, launched in February 2008, enables producers to interface with the NLIS database through the use of a Next-G mobile phone and a Bluetooth tag reader. This feature provides producers with greater flexibility in managing their livestock.

The National Livestock Identification System for cattleDevelopment of the NLIS tracing system for cattle is now completed. NLIS (Cattle) is an electronic identification system in which each animal is tagged with an individual radio frequency identification device (RFID) and accompanied with movement documentation when moved from a property. All animal movements from properties are recorded electronically in the NLIS database, and the requirements for animals to be identified and their movement recorded are underpinned by legislation in all states and territories.

Implementation of the National Livestock Identification System for sheep and goatsNLIS (Sheep and Goats) is a mob-based system for tracing mobs of sheep and farmed goats. It uses visually readable ear tags that have property identification codes printed on them. When mobs are transported, they are accompanied with a movement document (such as an NVD or a waybill).

Unless NLIS identification was specified by a particular market, sheep, lambs and farmed goats born before 1 January 2006 did not require identification during the transition period from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2008.

During 2009, governments and industry agreed that further improvements were required. Initially, work will focus on identifying all options to enhance NLIS (Sheep and Goats) to make it a more effective tracing system for sheep and goats. Agreement will then be sought on implementation.

Development of the National Livestock Identification System for pigsThe pig industry is continuing to develop NLIS (Pigs), working towards compliance with National Livestock Traceability Performance Standards. Currently, it is a mob-based system based on tattoos and brands to identify the property of birth, along with a movement document. Only the animal identification part of the system is currently mandatory.

During 2009, a pig-tracing exercise, known as Exercise Pigcatcher, was undertaken to test the system and identify areas requiring improvement. Following Exercise Pigcatcher, several recommendations for the improvement of NLIS (Pigs) were made. These recommendations are currently being considered by governments and industry.

Development of the National Livestock Identification System for alpacasNLIS (Alpaca) is under development. The alpaca industry is advocating the use of RFID tags that incorporate both radio frequency and visual readability in the one tag for animal identification. Currently, this system is voluntary.

Livestock industry quality assurance programsThe peak livestock industry associations contribute to national animal health policies and strategies, implement industry biosecurity plans and promote sound animal health management practices to livestock producers. QA programs in the livestock industries are critical to on-farm biosecurity and food safety practices. In general, there is an increasing demand for industries to meet high QA expectations. Examples of livestock industry QA programs are detailed below.

Livestock Production Assurance for the red meat industryThe Australian red meat industry (cattle, sheep and goats) has integrity systems to verify and assure food safety and other quality attributes of livestock. Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) is an on-farm food safety and QA certification program for grass-fed livestock. It was developed by MLA in conjunction with the Cattle Council of Australia, Australian Lot Feeders’ Association, Sheepmeat Council of Australia and Goat


Industry Council of Australia, and is actively supported by Australian Dairy Farmers Ltd and WoolProducers Australia. LPA follows ISO 9002:199420 and hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP)21 principles.

The LPA food safety program (Level 1) has five elements:

• property risk assessment

• safe and responsible animal treatments

• treatment of stock foods, fodder crops, grains and pastures

• preparation for dispatch of livestock — ensures that livestock to be transported are fit for the journey and not unduly stressed, and that contamination is minimised during on-farm assembly and transport to the destination

• livestock transactions and movements — ensures that the movement of livestock can be traced if required, and that the status of livestock with regard to chemical residues or food safety accompanies their movement.

The LPA on-farm QA program (Level 2) incorporates the CATTLECARE and Flockcare programs, and consists of three modules: Food Safety Management (LPA Level 1), Systems Management and Livestock Management.

Systems Management comprises:

• training

• internal auditing and document control

• quality records

• chemical inventory.

Livestock Management comprises:

• livestock husbandry and preparation

• livestock handling facilities

• livestock transport

• animal welfare

• accredited livestock.

LPA programs are owned and managed by AUS-MEAT Ltd on behalf of the red meat industry. AUS-MEAT Ltd, with MLA, works directly with livestock producers to implement the programs.

20 www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=16537

21 HACCP is a systematic preventive approach to food safety that addresses physical, chemical and biological hazards by prevention, rather than inspection of the finished product. HACCP is used in the food industry to identify potential food safety hazards, so that key actions, known as critical control points, can be taken to reduce or eliminate the risk of the hazards being realised.

National Feedlot Accreditation SchemeThe Australian feedlot industry was the first agriculturally based industry in Australia to embrace QA, and its National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme (NFAS) has been in place since 1995. This self-regulatory program, which has accredited approximately 600 feedlots, covers animal health and welfare, environmental conservation and product integrity. Third-party annual auditing of every accredited feedlot ensures that the NFAS’s high standards are met.

The Australian Lot Feeders’ Association, the peak body of Australia’s feedlot industry, works with governments and other industry bodies to develop animal health policies and strategies to continually update the NFAS. The development of relevant technical information by the association and AHA was used to develop standards and awareness materials for heat stress, biosecurity and other pertinent disease issues, which have been incorporated into the NFAS. This ensures that feedlot managers operate in accordance with the requirements and expectations of consumers, markets, regulatory authorities and the wider community.

The feedlot industry receives new technical information at several levels. An annual feedlot conference highlights key research projects that aim to increase awareness of animal health issues. Animal health workshops are presented by experienced feedlot veterinarians in regions across Australia. These well-attended workshops provide practical information for the day-to-day management of animal health issues. Other promotional materials, including DVDs and fact sheets containing industry case studies, have been used to deliver information on biosecurity.

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