AVA welcomes protection and preparedness funding announced for high pathogenicity avian influenza

The Federal Government this week announced an additional $95 million in funding to prepare and protect against high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1. 

As Australia remains the only continent free of this strain of avian influenza, the announcement outlines a number of biosecurity and environmental measures in the event of its potential arrival. 

$37 million will be invested into initiatives to protect Australian agriculture including the national biosecurity response capability, $35.9 will go towards boosting environmental measures and protective action for threatened species and $22.1 towards strengthening public health preparedness. 

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP was quoted earlier in the week saying the funding “will strengthen our ability to detect any incursion and enhance biosecurity responses where it counts – working in partnership to collaboratively manage biosecurity threats. 

“This strain of avian influenza presents a real and significant threat to Australia’s agriculture sector.  

“Impacts experienced this year from outbreaks of other strains of high pathogenicity avian influenza highlight the importance of continued investment in national preparedness.” 

This announcement builds from work done by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) who have been conducting a simulation exercise called Exercise Volare, which has explored Australia’s response to a fictitious incursion of H5 HPAI. With representatives from the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) in attendance, it was recognised that H5 HPAI would have more significant impacts on Australia than any previous avian influenza incursion.  

The AVA will continue to provide updates and share communications from DAFF and government departments. These will be shared via Exercise Volare updates here and advocacy updates via this link.