AVA Member Updates

The AVA prepared a submission to not support the amendment to the Schedule 5 entry for OXYTETRACYCLINE in preparations to treat superficial skin infections, as the proposed change would mean that topical preparations of oxytetracycline for use in superficial skin infections (currently S4, and thus prescription-only) would be available over-the-counter and online to the public, to be used without veterinary oversight.

In January 2024 the AVA Policy team put together a muti-stakeholder submission to an inquiry into farmed pig welfare in Victoria, undertaken by the Victorian Legislative Council.

Feral horses have the capacity to negatively impact the environment, the welfare and sustainability of wildlife, the economy, and social amenity. As such there must be effective methods to control populations, and the AVA supports adoption of strategic feral horse management plans by National and State Park authorities. The control programs must be based on scientific assessment and aim to minimise the welfare impact on target animals. Furthermore, they must employ the most humane and effective methods applicable under Australian conditions that will achieve the objectives of the program, and animal welfare should not be compromised by economic factors in the choice of control program.

This week the AVA says farewell and thank you to David Andrews who finished as CEO on Friday.

The WVA has extended nominations for a Councillor for the Oceania region, which includes Australia. The AVA is seeking Expressions of Interest to be submitted no later than 8.00am Wednesday 7 February.

The AVSG sponsored the lunch for the Murdoch University Veterinary School 5th year students “Veterinarian In Training” name badge presentation ceremony. The AVA is very pleased to be able to be involved with the veterinary student orientation program.

Participating in this network, the AVA communicated the challenges facing veterinarians and nursing teams, and outlined that retention is the aspect that requires most assistance, rather than an increased supply to the workforce.

The AVA, in consultation with subject matter experts from APV and AVAWE, placed a submission to the Animal Health Committee (AHC) who is currently considering the use of microencapsulated sodium nitrite (meSN®) for the destruction of domestic pigs in an emergency animal disease (EAD) response.

I am looking forward to kickstarting more conversations about what we need as a profession and an organization. I want you to make the most of your AVA membership and lean into the greatest aspect it offers – the network.

A resource has been developed for AVA members to utilise for communicating a balanced insight and provide perspective around the cost of veterinary care. Veterinary care is highly sophisticated and almost everything that can be done for humans can be done for animals. However, the major difference is that unlike human health care, veterinary care is not subsidised or supported by the government through Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) or the public hospital system.