AVA Submission on the National Biosecurity Strategy

The AVA thanks the National Biosecurity Committee and Australian Government for the opportunity to comment on the consultation draft of the National Biosecurity Strategy (the Strategy).

The Strategy is a very high-level document at this stage, essentially a ‘blueprint’ for future direction, and we look forward to being consulted during the development of future specific action and implementation plans. In principle, the AVA supports the scope, vision and purpose of the Strategy, including the 6 priority areas identified for attention.

Roles within the biosecurity system have been identified only generically throughout the Strategy. The strategy lacks detail on the relationships between the Australian government and the states/territories, and the relative roles and responsibilities of each. Similarly, the Strategy does not provide detail about specific industries and professions. At this stage we are not reassured that the role and responsibilities of the veterinary profession in national biosecurity are captured within the Strategy as presented.

The Strategy could better identify and articulate the key components of disease control and management, namely quarantine, early diagnosis, response and eradication. Veterinarians play a vital role in all of these, and are on the front line of surveillance for emergency animal diseases which could cost the economy billions of dollars in an outbreak. However the veterinary profession is facing critical workforce shortages and other sustainability challenges. There is a pressing need for government investment and support to ensure an effective veterinary workforce is in place to support Australia’s favourable biosecurity status.

We would like to take this opportunity to highlight issues which are pertinent to the specific role of the veterinary profession in the national biosecurity system, including relevant risks and opportunities which have implications for the 6 priority areas. We address each of the priority areas in turn.

Read the full submission here.