Issue 19

July 2017

 
 

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

 
 
 

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT ON BIOSECURITY
The final review report of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity (IGAB) is now available for pubic viewing. This report recognises the importance and significanct achievements of IGAB and also new challenges that it may face going forward. The link to the full report can be found below.

 

BIOSECURITY UPDATE

With biosecurity still a hot topic, there's a few things that you should still be aware of:

Check out our latest news below for more information.

 

NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBER
​​A warm welcome to Meat & Livestock Australia as AHA's newest associate member. As with all our members, we’re looking forward to working with MLA to making a difference to farmers and strengthening the national animal health system.

 

 MONTHLY CATCH-UP
​A special one for you all this month, we're so proud of our Chairman Peter Milne and we were lucky enough to have a chat with him about his feelings in the lead up to receiving his award and his thoughts on Australia's livestock industry.

 

MILESTONE
​​Early July saw AHA reach 3000 likes on Facebook! If you’d like to join the conversation with AHA on social media you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

 

I hope you enjoy reading this month's edition of express

 

 

 

 
 

​Kathleen Plowman, CEO

 
 
 

Latest news

 
 

Release of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity review report

 

Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, media release, 26 July 2017

 

Today, the independent report of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity (IGAB) review was presented to the Agriculture Ministers’ Forum.


Agriculture ministers thanked the review panel, chaired by Dr Wendy Craik AM, for producing such a thorough and forward thinking review.


Australia has a robust national biosecurity system, built on the combined efforts of governments, industry and the community. This system supports our access to overseas markets – and our reputation as a producer of clean, high quality product – as well as entry into Australia of valued imports for businesses and consumers. But, more fundamentally, it safeguards our economy, environment and way of life from the adverse impacts of introduced pests and diseases.

 

To read the full release, click here

To view the final IGAB report, click here

 
 

Biosecurity update

 

Good biosecurity practices protect livestock producers

Meat & Livestock Australia, Cattle Council of Australia, Sheepmeet Council of Australia and Animal Health Australia, joint media release, 6 July 2017

Livestock producers who complete a farm biosecurity plan, and regularly review their biosecurity practices, know they’re doing their best to protect their business.

Read more​

 

Workshops rolling out to help with farm biosecurity plans
Seedstock Central, 26 July 2017

From 1 October 2017, sheep, goat and cattle producers will need to complete a Farm Biosecurity Plan (FBP) to maintain or obtain accreditation under the Livestock Production Assurance program (LPA).
The LPA program is the Australian livestock industry’s on-farm assurance program covering food safety, animal welfare and biosecurity. It provides evidence of livestock history and on-farm practices when transferring livestock through the value chain.

 

Read more

 

How to fill out your On-Farm Biosecurity Plan Template

An on-farm biosecurity plan is a core component of the Johne's Beef Assurance Score (J-BAS) and will become part of Livestock Production Assurance from 1 October 2017.

 

Putting together a plan is easy! Click the video above and follow the 6 simple steps.

It is likely that many of the elements of the plan are already in place on your property. All you need to do is document them.

 

Download a template today at www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/plan

 

Frequently Asked Questions

With our industry partners we have also developed some handy FAQs which can be accessed here

 
 
 

Animal Welfare Science Centre appoints new Director to lead RD&E activities

 

 Animal Welfare Science Centre, media release, 6 July 2017

 

The Board of the Animal Welfare Science Centre (AWSC) is pleased to announce that Professor Andrew Fisher has accepted its invitation to become Director of the AWSC and is confident that the AWSC will continue to thrive and grow in esteem as Andrew drives the Centre's RD&E activities over the next period.

 

Read more

 
 

Meet our board

 
 

Ms Sharon Starick, Director since 2010

 

Sharon Starick holds an Honours degree in Agricultural Science. Since 1993, Sharon has been producing grain and pigs in the Mallee region of South Australia. Her extensive knowledge of sustainable primary production was developed through her own on-farm practices and past participation in Mallee Sustainable Farming and the South Australian No-Till Farmers Association.

She also has a passion for natural resource management and conservation that is reflected in her Chairing the South Australian Murray–Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board and past membership of the South Australia’s Natural Resources Management Council, the Australian Landcare Council and the Community Advisory Committee for the Murray–Darling Basin Ministerial Council. As a past director of Land & Water Australia and the Grains Research and Development Corporation, Sharon has experience in strategic planning for research and extension.

 
 

Monthly catch-up

 
 

This month we caught up with Chairman of AHA, Peter Milne; following his naming as a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia over the Queen's Birthday weekend and how he got his start in the industry.

 

Congratulations on such a big achievement. What were your initial thoughts when you heard about your award?

 

Wow! The award was an unanticipated thrill.  I had a short period when I was aware the award was coming and people in the media could talk to me about it subject to an embargo but I couldn’t talk to my own family.  That was pretty tough – I was busting to share!  The overwhelming thought was actually about the many dedicated people I have worked with in many organisations, including in my time at AHA.

 

Read more

 
 

aha and member updates

 
 

Sustainability in Australian dairy industry continues to be recognised

 

Australian Dairy Farmers, media release, 17 July 2017

 

Unilever, one of the world’s largest companies, has again certified the sustainability credentials of Australia’s milk production.


The Unilever certification recognises the Australian dairy industry as a 100% sustainable supplier of milk, and reflects the focus that farmers around Australia have for sustainable farming processes.

 

Read more about Unilever’s Sustainable Agriculture Programme here.

 
 
 
 

White Spot - let's keep it out of NSW

 

NSW Department of Primary Industry, media release, 31 July 2017

 

Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair is reminding communities across the state to remain vigilant and follow expert advice in order to keep NSW free from White Spot.  

Mr Blair said regional communities in south-east Queensland were hit hard by White Spot last year and the whole community plays an important role in protecting our NSW prawn industry.

 

Read more

 
 
 
 

Sheep health data goes digital

 

Meat & Livestock Australia, media release, 26 June 2017

Valuable animal health and disease information provided by the National Sheep Health Monitoring Project (NSHMP) is now only a mouse click away with online access available via the online carcase feedback system, Livestock Data Link (LDL).

Read more

 
 

AHA were joined by some furry friends in the office on Friday 30 June!

Here’s some of our staff taking our guests out for a playdate at lunch.

 
 
 

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) – free online awareness course

 

The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) provides a free online course titled FMD awareness – Protecting your livelihood and community which provides information about the risks of FMD to Australia and emphasises the importance of prevention measures, early detection and reporting.


Upon completion of the course, participants will have a better understanding of:
• what can be done to help prevent the virus infecting susceptible livestock;
• clinical signs to look out for;
• what to do if the disease is suspected; and
• what would happen if we had an FMD incident response.


The course is relevant to anyone who works with livestock, as well as the wider community. It includes videos by industry leaders, activities and a short scenario-based quiz. 


Instructions for accessing the course are available on the DAF website: FMD Awareness - Protecting your livelihood and community.


 
 

Are you a veterinarian or other professional working with smallholders or backyard livestock?

 

VETLEARN is a free e-learning course for all veterinarians to build confidence and resources for their business and client relations.

 

To find out more and register, click here

 
 
 

Meet the new face of biosecurity in New South Wales

 

Livestock Biosecurity Network, media release, 24 July 2017

 

New South Wales is in secure hands with the introduction of a new Biosecurity and Extension Manager in Bonnie Skinner.


Bonnie joins Livestock Biosecurity Network (LBN) having previously held the role of Surveillance Coordinator within Animal Health Australia.

Bonnie enters the role with extensive experience in biosecurity, including qualifications in agriculture and equine and applied science.

 

Read more


 

 
 

Foot- and-Mouth Disease workshop

 

On Thursday 22 and Friday 23 June, Animal Health Australia hosted a workshop to bring together research partners with representatives from the Commonwealth and state and territory governments.


The workshop, ‘Improved surveillance preparedness and return to trade for emergency animal disease incursions using Foot-and-Mouth disease as a model’ was designed to engage the jurisdictional staff in the project  and to get their input into subprojects on farmer-led surveillance systems and decision support tools for use in EAD outbreaks.

 

This project is supported by Meat and Livestock Australia, through funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources as part of its Rural R&D for Profit programme, and by producer levies from Australian FMD-susceptible livestock (cattle, sheep, goats and pigs) industries and Charles Sturt University, leveraging significant in-kind support from the research partners. 


The research partners for this project are the Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Charles Sturt University, the Bureau of Meteorology and the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, supported by Animal Health Australia (AHA).

 

in the news

 
 

Hendra virus confirmed near Lismore

 

NSW Department of Primary Industries, media release, 9 July 17

 

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is urging horse owners to remain vigilant, following confirmation of Hendra virus infection in an unvaccinated horse near Lismore.

 

Read more


 
 
 
 

Bluetongue virus-free zone amended in WA

 

Beef Central, 13 July 2017


The bluetongue virus (BTV) zone in Western Australia has been extended following detection of the virus in cattle on a Kimberley property as part of a surveillance program.

 

Read more
 

 
 
 
 

Customs’ foot-and-mouth disease protection pressure

 

Annabelle Cleeland, The Land, 7 July 2017

Pressure is on Australia’s border protection to identify and decontaminate international travellers arriving in Australia from countries where foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is endemic.

 

Read more

 
 
 
 
 

Confirmed cases of Brucellosis in Gunnedah area​

 

Vanessa Hohnke, Namoi Valley Independent, 13 July 2017

 

Gunnedah is being urged to heed warnings after an outbreak of the deadly disease, Brucellosis, in the area.
In the past few weeks, two dogs have tested positive for Brucellosis (Brucella Suis), with the most recent case confirmed last week.

 

Read more

 
 
 
 
 
 

FARM BIOSECURITY NEWSLETTER

 

The July edition of the Farm Biosecurity e-newsletter is now available. This month features the following articles:

 
 

in brief

 
 

Amateur beekeeping surges over global concern for bees

 

Kate Stephens, ABC Rural, 2 July 2017

 

Beekeepers say concern over global bee numbers has led to a surge in amateur beekeepers in Western Australia.

 

Read more

 
 
 
 

War on red imported fire ants can still be won, despite new outbreak outside control zone

 

Charlie McKillop, ABC Rural, 4 July 2017

 

Biosecurity authorities have vowed not to give up the fight to eradicate imported red fire ants, despite suffering a major setback last week with the discovery of a new nest on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

 

Read more

 
 
 
 

Results of gene editing could be seen in livestock industry in a few years

 

Lucy Kinbacher, Queensland Country Life, 9 July 2017

Cattle born with tick resistance, pigs created already castrated and chickens that only hatch hens.


It might sound impossible but these are all being achieved today thanks to the science of gene editing and could be well established in livestock operations within two to three years.

 

Read more

 

 
 

QUICK BITS

 
 

Cyclone Debbie survivor Banjo the horse makes recovery after being washed away

 

Lara Webster, ABC Rural, 17 July 2017

 

A horse that washed up at a north Queensland pub during Cyclone Debbie in March is making a stunning recovery after his ordeal.

 

Read more

 

Farmers turn to hydroponics, aquaponics, greenhouses to meet growing demand for food using less resources

 

Aimee Volkofsky, ABC Rural, 13 July 2017

 

Australia is rapidly becoming a world leader in protected cropping as farmers look for creative ways to grow more food using less land and resources

 

Read more

Dairy code of practice released

 

Queensland Country Life, 30 June 2017

 

A voluntary code to help dairyfarmers and processors negotiate contracts has been released today.​

 

Read more

 

 
 

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Office location: Level 2, 95 Northbourne Ave, Turner ACT 2612