NSW Department of Primary Industries and Local Land Services emergency animal disease preparedness initiatives for 2023

01 Mar 2023
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NSW Department of Primary Industries and Local Land Services emergency animal disease preparedness initiatives for 2023

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) with Local Land Services (LLS) will facilitate a range of emergency animal disease (EAD) surveillance and preparedness initiatives throughout 2023, as part of a $65 Million package from the NSW Government for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) prevention and preparedness.

Included are training activities providing the opportunity to earn CPD/VETED points, while gaining valuable knowledge and skills for the varied roles veterinarians can undertake during an EAD response.

In the event of an EAD response, veterinarians and para-veterinarians will be critical for a range of field-based and control centre-based response roles such as Surveillance, Tracing and Permits, so why not upskill in this emerging field? Remember, EAD risks are not limited to livestock!

Emergency animal disease workshops for veterinarians

In response to the current risk of foot-and-mouth disease and lumpy skin disease, the Department of Regional NSW and the Australian Veterinary Association are working with veterinarians to prepare for and prevent emergency animal diseases in NSW.

Four FREE workshops will be held for veterinarians and offering Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points for participation.

Attendees will:

  • get the latest updates on emergency animal diseases relevant to NSW Practitioners
  • refine their skills in post-mortem examinations
  • brush up on their lab sample collection and packaging techniques
  • receive a FREE post-mortem and sampling kit for their veterinary clinic.

The workshops will be held in Armidale, Sydney, Wagga Wagga and Dubbo.

To register for one of these events, go to the Local Land Services website.

 

Subsidised livestock disease investigations until June 2023

Veterinary laboratory testing is FREE for animal disease investigations conducted by veterinarians on livestock that are susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease.

Testing is eligible for the subsidy if:

  • it is required as part of a disease investigation
  • it is of a cloven-hooved animal
  • it is managed by a vet in NSW
  • the property has a PIC
  • samples are submitted to Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute.

To request the fee waiver and for more information, visit the Local Land Services website or talk to your local District Vet.

 

Supply of free EAD surveillance kits to targeted NSW veterinarians

DPI is partnering with LLS to supply EAD surveillance kits containing PPE, disease sampling and autopsy equipment to veterinary practices and mobile veterinarians providing livestock and equine veterinary services, saleyards and other stakeholders across NSW. This initiative aims to ensure resources are immediately available at strategic locations across the state to assist veterinarians undertaking surveillance in the event of a suspected EAD event.

Register your interest for a kit here.

 

EMTrain – Introductory emergency response e-learning modules (3 structured CPD Points)

If you are interested in participating in an EAD response in NSW, the three foundation modules available on EMTrain provide a basic understanding of how an emergency response works. Even if you have participated in an emergency response previously, the modules can be used as a refresher on the structure, roles and responsibilities that exist during an emergency response.

The three foundation modules:

  • Working in Agricultural Emergencies (1 structured CPD or VETED point)
  • Induction into DPI Response (1 structured CPD or VETED point)
  • Information and Communications Management (1 structured or VETED point)

The modules are self-paced and can be completed at any time.

Registration is free, to begin the training enrol here.

 

AIIMS Awareness e-learning course (5 structured CPD points)

This nationally accredited e-Learning course provides a basic introduction to the Australasian Inter-service Incident Management SystemTM (AIIMS). This is the management system that is used nationally for emergency responses. The course is self-paced and completely online so you can complete it at a time that suits you.

Undertaking this course will provide awareness about the structure, roles and responsibilities used in an emergency response which helps to facilitate effective and efficient control of incidents. This course is available free through the DPI to veterinarians and para-veterinary staff that are interested in participating in an EAD response. This course will also be valuable for participation in any emergency response (flood, bushfire, drought etc.).

Register your interest in AIIMS Awareness training here.

 

Other training opportunities:

  • Animal Health Australia (AHA) - Emergency animal disease e-learning
    AHA hosts a variety of free online courses related to EAD preparedness, arrangements, and biosecurity on its eLearning platform. Participants can earn various amounts of CPD or VETED points for each course. Course details and registration can be found here.
  • VETLEARN - Veterinarians, Hobby Farmers and Backyard Livestock
    This online course is designed to help veterinarians build their business and improve biosecurity outcomes with smallholders, resulting in early detection of an EAD. (2 structured CPD or VETED points). Registration is online, to begin the course enrol here.