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| Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan | |
|---|---|
| Name | Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan |
| Abbreviation | AusVETPLAN |
| Jurisdiction | Australia |
| Issued by | Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia) |
| First issued | 1990s |
| Latest revision | 2020s |
| Status | Active |
Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan The Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan provides a coordinated framework for veterinary emergency response to animal disease outbreaks, natural disaster animal welfare incidents, and biosecurity threats across Australia. It integrates policy, operational guidance, and interagency coordination to align federal, state, and local actions during veterinary emergencies, supporting collaboration among Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia), state departments such as NSW Department of Primary Industries, Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (Victoria), and industry bodies like the Australian Veterinary Association.
AusVETPLAN defines objectives for detection, containment, control, and eradication of exotic animal disease and management of welfare impacts from events such as bushfire and floods. It establishes triggers for activation, levels of response, and links to related national instruments including the Biosecurity Act 2015 and the National Health Security Act 2007. The plan aims to protect livestock industries such as beef cattle industry, wool industry, poultry industry, and companion animal populations, while informing coordination with emergency services like State Emergency Service (Australia), and health agencies including Department of Health (Australia).
Governance is provided through Commonwealth and state/territory arrangements, with strategic oversight by the National Biosecurity Committee and implementation roles for agencies such as the Agriculture Victoria and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. Legal authorities referenced include the Biosecurity Act 2015, state animal health statutes like the Stock Diseases Act 1915 (historical frameworks), and emergency management legislation such as the Disaster Management Act 2003 (Queensland). International obligations under the World Organisation for Animal Health (formerly Office International des Epizooties) and World Trade Organization sanitary measures inform import/export controls and reporting.
Responsibilities are apportioned among federal entities including the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia), state veterinary services such as NSW Department of Primary Industries and Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA, local government, industry representatives like the Meat & Livestock Australia and Australian Pork Limited, and professional bodies such as the Australian Veterinary Association. Operational command often integrates with state emergency controllers from agencies like Fire and Rescue NSW and coordination forums such as the National Emergency Management Committee. Veterinary incident controllers, field veterinary officers, laboratory services at institutions like the CSIRO, and diagnostic networks including Agriculture Victoria's AgriBio are core responders.
Preparedness activities include disease surveillance coordinated with laboratories such as the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, stock movement controls coordinated with industry groups like Livestock Production Assurance, and development of field protocols used in past responses to events like the equine influenza outbreak 2007 and Hendra virus incidents. Response arrangements incorporate mobile veterinary teams, quarantine facilities, and linkage to animal welfare NGOs such as the RSPCA Australia and Australian Veterinary Reserve for mass animal care. Information sharing uses systems aligned with the National Animal Health Information System and reporting to international bodies including the World Organisation for Animal Health.
Procedures cover detection, notification, risk assessment, tracing, zoning, movement controls, vaccination policy, and humane destruction where necessary, referencing case studies such as the equine influenza outbreak 2007 and outbreak responses for avian influenza. Incident action plans define incident controllers, multi-agency coordination with entities like the Australian Border Force for biosecurity at ports and airports, and laboratory confirmation pathways involving facilities such as the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness. Public communication strategies involve state communications units and industry liaison with groups like the National Farmers' Federation.
Training programs include nationally consistent competencies delivered through Registered Training Organisations and government-run exercises such as national tabletop exercises involving the National Health Security Act 2007 stakeholders, state departments, and industry partners including Meat & Livestock Australia and the Grains Research and Development Corporation. Capability development targets field veterinary capacity, laboratory surge capacity at institutions like the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), and volunteer networks exemplified by the Australian Red Cross and emergency animal responders coordinated by the RSPCA Australia.
Funding is sourced through Commonwealth appropriations to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia), state budgets such as those of Victoria and New South Wales, cost-sharing arrangements with industry bodies like Meat & Livestock Australia, and emergency relief mechanisms administered under statutes like the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. Logistics leverage national assets including transport coordination with Australian Defence Force support when required, cold-chain capacity for vaccines, and supply arrangements with private providers across sectors such as veterinary pharmaceuticals and feed supply managed by companies linked to the Australian Veterinary Pharmaceutical Industry.
Category:Emergency management in Australia