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ISSUE 1
The Link
CONNECTING THE AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY FROM THE FARM TO THE SUPPLY CHAIN
Johne’s
disease in
cattle: the
big picture
IGAB review:
where are we now?
Schipp at the
helm of the OIE
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 >9׉H ;mailto:publications%40animalhealthaustralia.com.au?subject=Gׁׁrנ[h')RͿ ܁9׉H .http://www.facebook.com/AnimalHealthAustralia/Gׁׁrנ[h')RͿ 9׉Hhttp://www.twitter.com/aha_auGׁׁrנ[h')RͿ 9׉H 7https://au.linkedin.com/company/animal-health-australiaGׁׁrנ[h')RͿ  2S9ׁH 0mailto:publications@animalhealthaustralia.com.auׁׁЈ׉E	Working together for animal health
© Australian Animal Health Council Ltd 2018
ACN 071 890 956
ISSN 2209-329X
The Link is Animal Health Australia’s (AHA) bi-annual publication, first published in June 2018. It is distributed twice
a year to all AHA members and subscribers.
AHA
AHA BOARD
Dr Bruce Christie, Ms Paula Fitzgerald, Ms Michelle Gorman, Mr Peter Milne (Chair), Mr David Palmer, Ms Sharon Starick, Dr Les Stephens
CEO
Ms Kathleen Plowman
AHA HEAD OFFICE
Level 2, 95 Northbourne Avenue, Turner, ACT 2612
T +61 2 6232 5522
E aha@animalhealthaustralia.com.au
www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au
COVER PHOTO
iStock
EDITORIAL PANEL
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Danika Barnard
dbarnard@animalhealthaustralia.com.au
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Alannah Andreini
aandreini@animalhealthaustralia.com.au
TECHNICAL EDITING COMMITTEE
Dr Rob Barwell
Senior Manager, Biosecurity
rbarwell@animalhealthaustralia.com.au
Dr Francette Geraghty-Dusan
Veterinary Manager
francette@animalhealthaustralia.com.au
Jackie Poyser
Executive Manager, Communications and
Training Services
jpoyser@animalhealthaustralia.com.au
Emily Sears
Surveillance Coordinator
esears@animalhealthaustralia.com.au
Dr Belinda Wright
Senior Manager, Emergency Response
bwright@animalhealthaustralia.com.au
PRODUCTION
LAYOUT AND DESIGN
Daniel Hadiwibawa
dhadiwibawa@animalhealthaustralia.com.au
ADVERTISING
Communications Team
publications@animalhealthaustralia.com.au
PHOTOGRAPHY
All photos by AHA unless
credited otherwise.
We would love to feature your work in The
Link! Anyone involved in the animal health
sector is encouraged to submit articles
about their achievements, research or
innovations in agricultural production, a
personal profile or an opinion piece.
Our next edition’s theme is: Emergency
Animal Disease: are we prepared?
However, please feel free to send through
articles that don’t relate to this theme as
we may still include it. The deadline for
submissions for the next edition is
3 August 2018.
For more information visit
www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/ourpublications/publication-guidelines
Send
your submissions to
publications@animalhealthaustralia.com.au
The views and opinions published do not
necessarily reflect those of the publisher,
AHA and editors.
Want more AHA news?
Follow us on social media at:
@AnimalHealthAustralia
@aha_au
Animal Health Australia
׉	 7cassandra://jfQF7GwCTUN6c0AltpVm9_KDlpkwRjYxAtFzrU14y0A-`j [h')R;׉E#Contents
About Animal
Health Australia
From the CEO
Out and about
Features
2
3
4
Schipp at the helm of the OIE
Johne’s disease in cattle: the big picture
IGAB review: where are we now?
6
10
16
What’s happening
at AHA?
Sheep Health Project goes
from strength to strength
Record response to poultry
welfare standards
First exercise for the
Marine Pest Program
Feeding swill is a ‘pig’ deal!
Want to save time?
Fill out your Goat Health
Declarations online!
Leadership profile:
Helen Jenkins
18
20
21
22
Farm Biosecurity
Project
Banana growers recognised
in biosecurity awards
Be ‘appy’! Biosecurity
planning at your fingertips
The results are in on the
Farm Biosecurity Project
Producer Survey!
26
27
Member and
Industry News
Meet Cattle Council of Australia’s
2017 Rising Champion!
Biosecurity boost through
strengthened LPA program
28
Agforce and NAB team-up
to better value our
natural assets
One Biosecurity -
the future starts now
23
24
Let us know your thoughts!
Please send feedback about this magazine to:
publications@animalhealthaustralia.com.au or
PO BOX 5116, Braddon ACT 2612
Have you registered
your pigs?
All-paca your information
in one place!
Surveillance strengthened
across northern Australia
A biosecurity sign
of the times
Meet our members
In the know
30
34
36
38
40
42
44
46
48
50
[h')R;[h')R;{בCט   {u׉׉	 7cassandra://sH3psZvAfVtxQ7kz-gG2Rg9a7EmsPJE2C2ZDGW1f2cA P`׉	 7cassandra://JKCica9aAiHfhcjaJcn90pZcBYvRqfFyW6qTdadbiNEͦ`׉	 7cassandra://HLNJn6VTOAqgbFyFwdW3xghPDT4JLpZjpYAACerT29M6`j ׉	 7cassandra://qbdyLLw0PKNgEcfxXTDWcv1vlcsA46TQp7vjW2U53c0 -15͠	[h')RͿ!נ[h')RͿ c9׉H ;mailto:publications%40animalhealthaustralia.com.au?subject=Gׁׁrנ[h')RͿ ^59׉H ;mailto:publications%40animalhealthaustralia.com.au?subject=Gׁׁrנ[h')RͿ% 	>89ׁH #http://animalhealthaustralia.com.auׁׁЈ׉E,About Animal
Health Australia
What do we do?
Animal Health Australia (AHA) is the
trusted national coordinator, brokering
arrangements for government
and industry partnerships and
collaborations to strengthen animal
health and biosecurity in Australia.
staff
34
Working to achieve
a resilient Australian
animal health system,
recognised nationally
and internationally.
members
33
AHA’s members include
the Australian, state and
territory governments,
major livestock
industries and other
service providers.
Service Providers
53
projects
Focussed on enhancing
Australia’s emergency
animal disease
preparedness and
response, biosecurity,
market access, welfare,
traceability and
surveillance.
Associate members
Livestock Industries
Our members
Australian, State and Territory Governments
2 THE LINK AUT/WIN 18
׉	 7cassandra://HLNJn6VTOAqgbFyFwdW3xghPDT4JLpZjpYAACerT29M6`j [h')R;׉E*From the CEO
Welcome to the first
issue of The Link!
We’re very excited to bring you
our brand new publication! At AHA
we’re lucky enough to see firsthand
the effort and passion that goes
into Australia’s agriculture industry
– now with the launch of The Link
you can find out about all the
amazing work too!
Twice a year in The Link we’ll
feature stories from producers,
vets and others who work in the
agriculture industry and share what
AHA is working on to strengthen
the animal health system. We’ll
showcase the achievements
of our members, partners and
stakeholders and bring you the
latest Australian agricultural news
and innovations. We hope that by
sharing these stories we can help
Australian farmers get the best
possible outcomes on-farm.
We recently returned from Beef
Australia 2018 in Rockhampton,
Queensland and the Australian
Veterinary Association (AVA)
Conference in Brisbane and have
had a fantastic time meeting
and engaging with a variety of
producers and veterinarians (p4).
You’ll find out more about our Beef
Australia and AVA Conference
adventures in the next issue.
One of the most important topics
to our members and stakeholders
is on-farm biosecurity. With several
big changes taking place over the
past year we thought it would be
fitting to make on-farm biosecurity
the theme of this inaugural issue;
and with the announcement of
an additional $121.6 million in
the 2018-19 Federal Budget to
enhance Australia’s biosecurity
system over the next five years,
we’ll be watching this space very
closely.
One of the most significant
changes in the area of biosecurity
were the adjustments to the
management of Johne’s disease
that took place throughout 2016
and 2017. Our feature article (p11)
provides a summary of the key
elements that changed, shares
the thoughts of some of the key
individuals involved in the decisionmaking
and implementation
process and outlines what AHA
and other groups have learnt from
the experience.
Don’t forget, if there’s something
you’re passionate about that
you’d like to submit a piece on,
or if you would like to advertise
your program or product, get in
touch with us at publications@
animalhealthaustralia.com.au.
Keep in mind, the theme for our
In this edition
Meet the new
president of the
World Organisation of
Animal Health - Australia’s
very own Dr Mark
Schipp. Congratulations
Mark on this incredible
achievement!
Find out all the latest
Farm Biosecurity
Project news.
Kylie Stretton, Cattle
Council of Australia’s
2017 Rising Champion,
shares her story.
6
26
30
next issue is ‘Emergency Animal
Disease: are we prepared?’
I hope you enjoy reading The Link
just as much as we have enjoyed
putting it together for you.
Kathleen Plowman
AHA CEO
(L-R): AHA Chairman Peter Milne, with AHA CEO Kathleen Plowman at Beef Australia 2018
THE LINK AUT/WIN 18 3
[h')R;[h')R;{בCט   {u׉׉	 7cassandra://PlBju7ro_-ydTzLxpmR8dKR0UQSLIgacmRBuZgx9qL0 R`׉	 7cassandra://pj0u-XgbdNkM2YFDkfZr6yg_GTiz5rob-HwtNei1Iz4J`׉	 7cassandra://WPF6CF18nkp1ypHAQRm4J6gQx0zVAyPrMjMXgUmZgmkFd`j ׉	 7cassandra://YAzOifcbuoa5JuG8Ra_nGozi7EiFEHu5lw-JEGkK5F4 ̄͠	[h')RͿ#׉EOut and about
AHA exhibited at the annual AVA conference
in Brisbane, QLD and at Beef Australia 2018
in Rockhampton, QLD during May. We had
a great time meeting so many fabulous
people, who are passionate about their role in
Australian agriculture.
Trent, Southern Highlands Veterinary
Centre, NSW
“I love interacting with people
passionate about animals
and their welfare and feeling
like you make a difference to
animal health on a daily basis.”
Marlena, University of Melbourne, VIC
Alex Thomas (CEO, Petsure), Kathleen Plowman (CEO, AHA), Heather Neil (CEO, RSPCA)
Australia and Paula Parker (President, AVA)
“I grew up on a low income
with a single mother. We relied
on the education of our vets
for the care of our animals. This
is why I wanted to become a
vet...in this industry you can
make a really positive social
impact.”
Follow Marlena’s journey on
Facebook and Instagram at
@veterinary_adventures
“You can’t be kind to others if you’re not kind to yourself....
it’s okay to make mistakes, just learn from them.” - Kathleen Plowman
“We want to help vet
professionals thrive - in order
to thrive it’s important to lead
a balanced life; which is why it
is one of our paramount issues
we try to address.”
Monika, The AVA Wellness Stand
4 THE LINK AUT/WIN 18
׉	 7cassandra://WPF6CF18nkp1ypHAQRm4J6gQx0zVAyPrMjMXgUmZgmkFd`j [h')R;׉EMaggie and Effie, post-grad agriculture students, University of New England, NSW
“We’re excited to be at Beef and seeing the range of job
opportunities the industry offers!”
Jack, Scholarship with Angus Australia
Beau and Katherine, cattle farmers, Sarina QLD
“We’re passionate about working in a natural environment every
day. We work hard to try and spread positive stories about the
benefits of beef.”
“I’ve been enjoying talking to
people from all over the world
and finding out the different
ways of producing beef.”
Nicole, Goondoola Red Angus,
Orange NSW
“I’m excited to see the rate of
innovation and growth in the
beef industry.”
THE LINK AUT/WIN 18 5
[h')R;[h')R;{בCט   {u׉׉	 7cassandra://kwFcVL__9ZuKzpnWOaJyeyI4vAA9Kf02Kjp44LYhQV8 2`׉	 7cassandra://wQp0YUo_Seh4IPNE0vhdI-mulSNBkVUElNY06AYEJuYͳy`׉	 7cassandra://__HdR0QIpqZ3AQEe0GLGt3IiKoEcoFN2pbUSRcrIV3s:t`j ׉	 7cassandra://nvSidcErilVkKzHZ3XpbFGvIQL-6hSX2t83fVB_bubI -I͠	[h')RͿ'׉E
Features
Schipp at the
helm of the OIE
AHA Communications team
We caught up with Dr
Mark Schipp, following
his appointment as
President to the
World Organisation
for Animal Health
(OIE) and found out
his thoughts on the
international animal
health system and
some of his career
highlights so far.
What does the appointment to
OIE president mean to you?
Taking up the role of OIE
President is an enormous
privilege and opportunity.
The OIE is the international
standards setting body for
animal health and welfare. It was
established in 1924 in response to
ongoing outbreaks of rinderpest;
Australia joined in 1925.
The OIE aspires to bring to the
global community animal health,
animal welfare, veterinary public
health, food safety, food security
and the economic benefits
which flow from these. These are
lofty goals but with the global
challenges that we face today,
which threaten our continued
quality of life, we need to aim
high.
Becoming the OIE President
is an opportunity to showcase
Australia’s achievements and
approach to animal health and
welfare. It provides us with an
opportunity to shape the global
agenda on animal health and
antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
For me, it is also an opportunity
to represent our region of the Asia
Pacific in this international forum.
Our region is the most populous
“Becoming the OIE
President is an opportunity
to showcase Australia’s
achievements and approach
to animal health and
welfare...”
6 THE LINK AUT/WIN 18
and also the most productive in
animal agriculture but often lacks a
voice in international forums.
As a veterinarian from Australia I
will be taking the opportunity to
emphasise the important role we
all can play in the global issues of
animal health and welfare, food
security and AMR.
What are the highlights of your
career so far?
I have been very fortunate
throughout my career.
I have been a government
veterinarian since I graduated
from Murdoch University in 1989,
initially with the Western Australian
Department of Agriculture and
then with the Commonwealth.
Sir Walter Murdoch, the prominent
Australian author and philosopher
after which the university was
named, once reflected on his
inability to pursue studies in
medicine: ‘There are probably
people alive, who would not be
alive if I had been their physician.’
I think the same can be said of
me not entering clinical practice
– there are probably animals alive
today that would not be alive if I
had been their veterinarian!
In WA I had the opportunity to
work over most of the state as a
District Veterinary Officer. I then
׉	 7cassandra://__HdR0QIpqZ3AQEe0GLGt3IiKoEcoFN2pbUSRcrIV3s:t`j [h')R;׉E}worked in export abattoirs in WA,
Victoria and Tasmania, mostly in
small abattoirs, which meant that
I had to take a lot of personal
responsibility, especially in the
areas of animal welfare and food
safety.
I came to Canberra in 1996 to
work in the export meat program
which was an exciting time of
reform. I was working in the field
of export certification when I was
selected to take up an overseas
posting in Seoul, South Korea
from 2000-2003 and from there to
Beijing, China from 2003-2006. This
was an absolute highlight, to be
working in Asia at a time of intense
interest in the region. We had just
commenced free trade agreement
negotiations with China so I would
regularly brief the Prime Minister
and various Ministers as they
came through. My children learnt
Chinese and kept it up when we
returned to Canberra.
On my return I was promoted
to lead the export meat and
certification program where I
remained until the 2011 Indonesian
live cattle event. Australia’s Chief
Veterinary Officer (ACVO) at the
time, Andy Carroll had just retired
and I was asked to act in the role
which was a very busy period
as we developed the Exporter
Supply Chain Assurance System,
which was applied initially to cattle
exports to Indonesia and then to
all our export markets for live cattle
and sheep. Later that year I was
confirmed in the role of ACVO.
Very satisfying work for me to date
has also been to help improve
veterinary services in developing
countries which supports our
broader development goals.
Veterinarians play a much larger
role than simply improving animal
health outcomes.
Dr Mark Schipp delivering an intervention at the OIE General Session.
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Features
When veterinarians are engaged
in livestock health in developing
countries, they support better
health outcomes for humans,
they support gender equity
and empower women and they
allow a new generation to access
education. When a veterinarian
is engaged in understanding and
combating emerging infectious
and zoonotic diseases they ensure
better human health. It has been a
great privilege to contribute to this
very meaningful work.
As Australia’s delegate to the OIE
I have overseen the development
of international trade rules which
aligns with my main work of
developing scientifically based
animal health and welfare policy
and advice. In 2012, at my first
OIE General Session I was elected
to the OIE Council representing
our region and in 2015 I was
elected as Vice-President of
the OIE Assembly. In 2015 we
were very successful at the
OIE elections in getting three
Australian experts elected to the
specialist commissions, a level of
representation not achieved by any
other country.
What do you hope to achieve
during your tenure?
The Australian Government places
a high priority on protecting and
strengthening international rules
that guide trade, and actively
encourages others to adopt
international standards. During
the tenure of the OIE Presidency, I
hope to:
i.
Increase member participation
in standard setting and
encouraging greater adoption
and implementation of
standards by trading partners.
Although all 182 member
countries of the OIE
participate in its annual
meeting, very few contribute
to the standard setting
process, so I am keen to help
all OIE members become
active participants. There is
concern that OIE members
endorse international
standards, but not take
them up and apply them,
so the OIE has initiated a
project to investigate why
the standards are not more
widely implemented. It may
be that some countries need
to build their confidence and
capacity in standard setting
and implementation.
ii. Improve the transparency
and integrity of processes,
for example those that
lead to OIE acceptance of
member country disease
statuses and improve
accessibility to data that
underpins official declarations.
The OIE has improved
dramatically since 2012 in
transparency, accountability
and governance, but more
needs to be done to build
confidence in the institution.
Dr Mark Schipp presenting on AMR: Ongoing challenges and opportunities at the
AVA 2018 conference.
Improved transparency in OIE
processes for recognising
official disease status has a
number of benefits, including
improving our confidence in
using the OIE’s recognition
of trading partners. It
also has implications for
improving the credibility of
the OIE’s official disease/risk
recognition system, thereby
improving the credibility of
the OIE’s recognition of our
8 THE LINK AUT/WIN 18
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disease status. This vital work
underpins the OIE’s core role
as a standard setting body.
iii. Strengthening the veterinary
voice in global discussions
The global animal health
policy environment is
becoming increasingly
complex and problems are
presenting unprecedented
challenges where global
solutions must encompass
the needs of a diverse range
of stakeholders. The OIE is
the international organisation
for government veterinary
services and I believe we
have a lot to contribute to key
global issues such as AMR
and food security.
Veterinary services must
be a strong, influential and
effective contributor to One
Health discussions, especially
AMR, so that our concerns
are central to the design
and direction of global
actions. For example, other
international bodies are
working to remove veterinary
and animal agriculture access
to antibiotics. I believe it is
essential that we maintain
access to antibiotics provided
they are used responsibly. In
this area Australia has a lot
of valuable experience to
share, and as President, I will
be looking to work closely
with the Director General
to encourage a proactive,
meaningful presence on these
important issues.
What are your thoughts on the
collective international animal
health system?
The international animal health
system relies on
the veterinary
services of
each individual
government, and
some of these
are weak and
need support. I
spoke to the CVO
of one African
country and asked
why they were
not undertaking
surveillance and
his reply was that
if they leave the
urban areas they are at risk of
being shot! So, there are some
very serious challenges that we do
not experience in Australia.
It is important that the
international standards developed
by the OIE do not act perversely
and discourage true reporting
of a country’s animal health
status. Countries that undertake
surveillance and report disease in
their animal populations should
not be penalised for behaving
ethically. There is still some work
to be done in this regard.
The OIE also has a role in
measuring the performance of
veterinary services to identify
weaknesses or non-compliances
in national veterinary services.
This information then allows
donors to support capacity
building to strengthen veterinary
services and animal health
surveillance. This is particularly
important for our region where
we rely on the veterinary
services of our northern
neighbours to detect and
report disease as part of
our early warning and
preparedness.
“When veterinarians
are engaged in
livestock health in
developing countries,
they support better
health outcomes for
humans, they support
gender equity and
empower women...”
I want to model good behaviour
internationally in this regard.
Australia has strong veterinary
services; we conduct surveillance
and accurately report our disease
and health status, and we rely
on this status to access export
markets. Our animal health status
is also the basis for our biosecurity
system. Both trade and biosecurity
rely on the international standards
developed by the OIE.
AT A GLANCE
OIE established
Australia joined the OIE
1924
1925
182
Member countries of the OIE
THE LINK AUT/WIN 18 9
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P͠	[h')RͿ+׉E׉	 7cassandra://FsVoXUxqOO93yclUL5S_AL3oLe9qax6XEcqPFfibI50>`j [h')R;׉EFeatures
Johne’s
disease in
cattle: the big
picture
Dr Rob
Barwell
AHA’s Senior
Manager Biosecurity
Many significant changes took place over 2016-2017 in the management of
Johne’s disease (JD) in cattle. The transition from a regulated disease to a
condition that should be managed as part of on-farm biosecurity wasn’t always
smooth sailing. Here we explain what the changes are, how they fit with other
biosecurity programs and what the parties involved have learnt from the
implementation process.
Feb 2016
New JD
in Cattle
Framework
released,
outlining a
fresh approach
to management
of the disease
Jul 2016
Deregulation
and removal of
zoning begins
Transition from
CattleMAP to
Johne’s Beef
Assurance
Scheme (J-BAS)
begins
J-BAS is managed by AHA on behalf
of Cattle Council of Australia (CCA).
The Livestock Production Assurance (LPA)
program is a separate program to J-BAS.
LPA is managed by the Integrity
Systems Company (ISC), a subsidiary
of Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA).
Jul 2017
Transitional
arrangements
end, on-farm
biosecurity
plans to be
implemented
Oct 2017
On-farm
biosecurity
plans to be
finalised, new
LPA program
begins
Sep 2016
THE LINK AUT/WIN 18 11
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WHAT IS JD?
JD is a wasting disease that affects
various species of animal including
cattle, sheep, goats and alpacas.
JD affects the animal by reducing
the amount of nutrients it can
absorb from food, resulting in
wasting and eventual death.
Australia is privileged in the sense
that we have relatively little cases
of JD compared to many other
developed agricultural countries.
SO WHAT CHANGED?
In February 2016, a new national
approach was announced that
included:
•
•
the removal of zoning around
Australia
the ceasing of quarantining
properties as a control
measure
• a move to a market-driven
approach where producers
undertake practices
dependant on their situation
and market requirements.
The approach was endorsed
by the cattle industry and state
governments and focussed on
managing on-farm biosecurity risks,
rather than controlling the disease
through regulation.
Justin Toohey, CCA’s Animal
Health, Welfare, Biosecurity and
Environment Advisor provided a
deeper insight into the rationale
behind the changes.
“The previous approach
had significant government
involvement and intervention,
especially when a JD positive
animal was found. When this
happened, the property would
be quarantined at great financial
and psychological cost to the
producer. Under the new system,
producers can still trade even if
JD is found on their property,”
said Mr Toohey.
The national approach to JD
management treats the disease as
one of many that producers must
manage within their business.
As a result, the J-BAS system
was introduced, which allows
producers to communicate to
buyers of their cattle what JD risk
they believe is present.
J-BAS is a voluntary, selfassessed
score that requires an
on-farm biosecurity plan to be
in place on the property. The
score you give your cattle is
based on the likelihood of any
previous exposure to JD and your
preparedness in managing risks.
The J-BAS is just one of a wide
range of tools developed for
producers to help them manage
JD in cattle including:
•
templates for the on-farm
biosecurity plan
•
the Cattle Health Declaration
• the J-BAS Scoring
system chart
•
JD biosecurity checklist
• a comprehensive FAQ about
JD in Cattle.
WA and the NT have maintained
a more regulated approach
for any producers looking to
transport cattle into the area.
WA have an entry requirement
of J-BAS 8 (J-BAS 7 if you’re
transporting from Queensland)
whilst transporting cattle through
the NT requires a minimum J-BAS
score of 6.
12 THE LINK AUT/WIN 18
For further information visit:
• Department of Primary
Industries and Regional
Development WA -
www.agric.wa.gov.au
•
Department of Primary Industry
and Resources NT -
www.nt.gov.au
HOW DO THESE CHANGES
FIT WITH OTHER
PROGRAMS?
The commonality between the
changes to JD management and
the LPA program is that they share
the need for a biosecurity plan, are
market-driven and both are voluntary.
In the transition from deregulation
of JD management to the LPA
program, producers were required
to complete an on-farm biosecurity
plan by 1 October 2017. If you had
already completed the on-farm
biosecurity plan as part of your
JD risk assessment, you were not
required to complete a new one for
LPA accreditation.
׉	 7cassandra://HekiTmKpTR2ISYydQXDo3tbUuv8yEC4tnfUk1q6jI_4A`j [h')R;׉E+Mr Toohey said that all producers
should strive to be LPA accredited.
“This allows producers to use the
LPA-stamped NVD when selling
their livestock, giving them a
distinct marketing advantage over
those without an NVD,” said Mr
Toohey.
More information on the changes
can be found here:
www.animalhealthaustralia.com
au/new-approach-jd-cattle.
WHAT WE LEARNT
FROM THE JD IN CATTLE
IMPLEMENTATION
PROCESS
AHA hosted a workshop in
October 2017 to reflect on the
JD communications process.
Using the campaign as a case
study, our members, partners
and stakeholders came together
to identify what worked and
what didn’t and how future
communications campaigns could
be improved.
These findings have been taken
on board by AHA and the other
parties involved and will inform
the development of future
communications campaigns –
ensuring future messaging to
producers and members of the
supply chain reflects the diversity
of audiences and meets their
information needs.
“Under the
new system,
producers
can still
trade even if
JD is found
on their
property”
Key findings from
this workshop
• For many producers, much of the messaging around the JD in
cattle changes missed the mark. Reasons for this varied, from too
generic an approach to the messaging, to a lack of specificity
regarding differences in the application of the policy to different
species or in different jurisdictions.
•
The rationale that supported the recasting of the former policy
and the introduction of a different one remained unclear for many
producers, making it difficult for them to buy into the change.
• Too much time passed between news of a refreshed JD policy
being made ready for launch and the producer community
coming to understand the practical significance of the policy for
the conduct of everyday business.
THE LINK AUT/WIN 18 13
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Justin Toohey, Cattle Council of Australia
The major learning from the development and implementation experience revolves
around ownership and consultation. New policy implementation circles around three
phases: development, implementation and post-implementation. Whilst there was room for improvement
in all phases, it was phase three that needed the most work. Although there was a huge effort made to
develop communications packages pre-emptively, much more was needed.
In saying this, recognition must be given to the work undertaken by individuals from AHA, Livestock
Biosecurity Network, state farming organisations, livestock agencies, government departments and CCA in
communicating the changes and supporting producers throughout the transition.
Renata Berglas, AgForce Queensland
There are two clear take away messages for me from the workshop:
• The communications team can’t work effectively without the policy team being
engaged in the process. The original policy working group that lead the national JD reform should
have been engaged in planning communications and championing the information distribution. The
communications people involved weren’t aware that the policy debate wasn’t over and that there was
no national consensus on the outcomes of deregulation.
• Not enough consideration was given to producers’ ability to adjust to not having zones. In Queensland
under the zone system producers didn’t worry about JD as it wasn’t considered an extensive grazing
concern. No one thought about managing risk or what the clinical signs might look like. Everyone
was clear on one thing - if the government found JD in your herd, then your business was ruined. In
light of this it is not hard to see how from their angle J-BAS and biosecurity planning was just another
regulatory burden. Tangible benefits were never explained. This lead to a lack of ownership for the
reform process. Who wants to be the one championing more regulation and red tape?
Bonnie Skinner, Livestock Biosecurity Network
My biggest challenge was navigating the misunderstanding of the new policy amongst
producers and stakeholders. Unfortunately, the disease itself is not a straightforward one
and producers were largely unsure about where risks may lie for them and their enterprises, and how J-BAS
was going to operate in practical situations.
I found the producers I spoke to were a mix of supportive, outraged, or on the fence because they weren’t
sure as to whether this was something that was going to affect them now or in the future. Delivering talks at
workshops or speaking to producers one-on-one provided them with some more background knowledge
and context. This helped many gain a better understanding.
From the communications workshop, I found that where a change in policy in one industry or species is
going to affect others, it’s imperative that the relevant stakeholders are brought along for the ride through
adequate consultation.
14 THE LINK AUT/WIN 18
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SAVE DATE
meat
producer tour • forums • tradeshow • mla agm
20–23 November 2018
Canberra
THE
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:̝9ׁHhttp://www.agriculture.govׁׁЈ׉E	Features
IGAB review:
where are we now?
AHA Communications team
In 2015, a review of
the Intergovernmental
Agreement on
Biosecurity (IGAB) was
initiated by Australia’s
Agriculture Ministers
as part of a broader
review of Australia’s
biosecurity system.
To shed some light on the
review process and hear their
perspectives on the report’s
outcomes, we caught up with
Wendy Craik, the IGAB review
panel chair; David Palmer, a
member of the independent IGAB
review panel and AHA Board
member, and Kevin Shiell, from
Australian Dairy Farmers.
Wendy
Craik, IGAB
review panel
chair
The biosecurity world has changed
dramatically since the last review
(Beale) nearly a decade ago. Risks
have increased, while funding
has decreased, so the review was
initiated to evaluate and identify
the best way forward.
I hoped that the report would offer
practical suggestions that have a
16 THE LINK AUT/WIN 18
chance of being implemented and
which would garner the general
support of all jurisdictions as well
as industry, interest groups and
individuals across the biosecurity
spectrum. I believe the report
has achieved this as it provides a
detailed path for the next five to
10 years and suggestions for the
time after that.
However, it’s now up to the
governments, industry bodies, the
community and groups like AHA
to implement the next steps. I
envision it will involve putting in
place a process for implementing,
reporting on and evaluating the
recommendations which are
agreed to.
For me, working on the review
was a rewarding experience.
The other panel members and
the secretariat members were a
delight to work with and helped
the process run smoothly.
I found face-to-face consultation
to be very useful; the frankness
of people we spoke to was
refreshing and important
in determining the report’s
outcomes. I also found it was
important to deal realistically with
the funding issue.
David
Palmer,
member of
the IGAB
independent
review panel
and AHA Board member
The purpose of the review was to
analyse the performance capacity
in which the jurisdictions and
Commonwealth operate and
perform the duties required for an
efficient biosecurity system.
The report has many key
proposals. Some notable ones
include:
• Greater incorporation of
the environment into IGAB.
The coverage to date, in
the panel’s view, is less
than satisfactory. It will be
interesting to see where this
matter settles. The economic
One of the successes of the
first IGAB is that there is now a
multi-jurisdictional framework
and work plan.
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drivers around environmental
tourism remain immense and
amount to billions.
•
Industry has had little or no
say in the first IGAB. We
believe the time is now right
for greater involvement
from industry, hence the
recommendation promoting
greater roles for AHA and
Plant Health Australia (PHA)
along with industry and
community engagement
at National Biosecurity
Committee (NBC) level.
From my own perspective I
found it a great privilege to be
so closely engaged at all levels
of the bureaucracies. Gaining an
insight into the inner workings of
government was a rare treat for me
with my industry background.
I certainly believe AHA is
beautifully positioned to be part of
the conduit between government
and industry. The future is simple
- a well-funded and resourced
public sector complimented by
an industry commitment and a
positive culture to keep Australia’s
farms and parklands safe from
incursion of diseases and pests.
This is everyone’s priority.
Kevin Shiell,
Australian
Dairy
Farmers
One of the
successes of the first IGAB is that
there is now a multi-jurisdictional
framework and work plan which
offers the capability to look
more closely at broadening the
commitment among stakeholders
to embrace a stronger partnership
framework.
The review report highlights
the complexity of the national
biosecurity system, and the
roles and responsibilities of the
many participants. With so many
stakeholders how best to impart
the partnership culture and achieve
realistic engagement, is an ongoing
challenge.
The proposal for an Industry and
Community Committee to sit
alongside NBC, is probably about
as good as we can hope for at
this time, but it has its limitations.
At a very broad level, industry
involves all agricultural production
industries and supply-chains,
including transport, processing and
product distribution. Then there are
the community stakeholders that
2012
First IGAB came into effect
as an agreement between
the Commonwealth, state
and territory governments
(except Tasmania, which
supports majority of the
agreement) to improve
Australia’s biosecurity
system.
will need to be corralled into the
arrangement.
The recommendations relating to
resourcing also need to be given
priority. The report clearly spells out
that the national biosecurity system
is underfunded.
Industry groups have a role to
play in communicating to their
constituencies the importance and
funding priority of prevention rather
than response. Constantly taking
this view forward to governments at
the political level should also be a
priority.
I support the fact that market
access is key. Working to improve
our management of data
and knowledge, nationally as
recommended, is critical.
The report provides a
comprehensive framework on which
to build the biosecurity partnership
and we need to respond positively
wherever possible. Too much is at
stake.
For more info about the IGAB
review visit www.agriculture.gov.
au/biosecurity/partnerships/nbc/
intergovernmental-agreement-onbiosecurity/igabreview.
2015
2017
Review of the
agreement was
initiated.
After extensive
consultation, final
IGAB review report
was presented to
the Agriculture
Ministers’ Forum.
what’s
next
Development of
a response to the
report’s findings
has been agreed to
by the Agriculture
Ministers, which will
be implemented
through the NBC.
THE LINK AUT/WIN 18 17
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̊͠	[h')RͿDנ[h')RͿ> \9׉H \http://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/what-we-do/biosecurity-services/sheep-health-projectGׁׁrנ[h')RͿ? |s9׉H \http://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/what-we-do/biosecurity-services/sheep-health-projectGׁׁrנ[h')RͿ@ |9׉H \http://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/what-we-do/biosecurity-services/sheep-health-projectGׁׁrנ[h')RͿA |9׉H 0http://www.farmbiosecurity.com.au/industry/sheepGׁׁrנ[h')RͿB |.o9׉H 0http://www.farmbiosecurity.com.au/industry/sheepGׁׁrנ[h')RͿK 
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~b9ׁHhttp://www.anׁׁЈ׉E	What’s happening at AHA?
Sheep Health
Project goes
from strength
to strength
The Sheep Health
Project (SHP) has had a
successful 2017-2018,
with a number of key
activities completed to
help sheep producers
improve their on-farm
biosecurity practices and
the health of their sheep
flock.
Coordinated by AHA on behalf of
WoolProducers Australia (WPA) and
Sheep Producers Australia (SPA), the
SHP has had a number of highlights,
which include the launch of the new
Sheep Health Declaration (SHD),
significant levels of inspection in the
National Sheep Health Monitoring
Project (NSHMP) and the success
of a number of communications
activities.
The creation of the SHD is a
particularly important achievement,
said Dr Rob Barwell, AHA’s Senior
Manager Biosecurity.
“The SHD replaced the National
Sheep Health Statement and is
the most important disease risk
management tool sheep buyers
have available to them. It enables
producers to assess the risk of
18 THE LINK AUT/WIN 18
diseases such as virulent footrot,
ovine brucellosis, JD and other
biosecurity risks such as noxious
and declared weeds when buying,
selling or agisting stock,” said Dr
Barwell.
The SHD is available on the Farm
Biosecurity website to print out or
download as a fillable PDF. It can
also be completed online when
submitting an electronic NVD on
the LPA portal.
More efficient data collection and
an increase in the number of sheep
inspected as part of the NSHMP
were also key achievements for the
SHP.
“The NSHMP monitors sheep in
abattoirs for a number of diseases
Bree
Beattie,
AHA’s
Biosecurity Coordinator
and conditions and provides
feedback to producers, which they
can use to manage the health of
their sheep flock. I’m pleased to
report that in 2017, 5.4 million
sheep were inspected, an increase
from the same period last year.”
“This means that more producers
are being supplied with data
about their sheep that can help
them avoid future losses at the
abattoir and boost their profits.
The information is now available
in Livestock Data Link, which is
managed by the ISC,” said Dr
Barwell.
Another key focus of the SHP is
to promote industry management
of sheep health and biosecurity,
in a way that sustains efficient
“It enables producers to
assess the risk of diseases
such as virulent footrot, ovine
brucellosis, JD and other
biosecurity risks such as
noxious and declared weeds
when buying, selling or agisting
stock...”
׉	 7cassandra://ZMo07y4VNtv9GdFDHsOkfnE9Fd5M7yV6kuyCwY4GgCsD`j [h')R;׉EWhat’s happening at AHA?
production and ongoing market
access.
“AHA, in conjunction with WPA
and SPA, is working hard to get
the message out that with good
on-farm biosecurity and careful
management of sheep health
conditions, producers can improve
profits at the farm gate,” said Dr
Barwell.
“To do this, we’ve circulated
biosecurity information through
newsletter articles, a social media
campaign and animated videos.
“The video, in particular, was a
great way to communicate with
producers about sheep health and
biosecurity. It’s the first time we’ve
used this format and it was very
successful, with the video reaching
“It’s the first time we’ve used
this format and it was very
successful, with the video
reaching almost 5,000 people
through Facebook alone.”
almost 5,000 people through
Facebook alone.
“Social media has also been useful
to raise awareness about ovine
brucellosis and ways to manage the
condition,” said Dr Barwell.
AHA will continue to work with
the sheep peak industry bodies to
promote sheep health and on-farm
biosecurity.
Visit www.animalhealthaustralia.
com.au/what-we-do/biosecurityservices/sheep-health-project
for
more information on the SHP. For
other tips and tricks to improve
biosecurity for your sheep flock, go
to the sheep industry page on the
Farm Biosecurity website
www.farmbiosecurity.com.au/
industry/sheep.
*First published in WoolProducers’
December 2017 newsletter.
Image credit: Taryn Mokotupu
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KEY STEPS
Record
response to
poultry welfare
standards
AHA Communications team
A record number of
submissions have been
received on the draft
Australian Animal
Welfare Standards
and Guidelines for
Poultry (S&Gs) during
the 90 day public
consultation period,
which came to an end
on 26 February 2018.
With over 167,000 submissions,
it’s the largest response to a
public consultation that AHA
has managed, said Kathleen
Plowman, AHA CEO.
“It’s five times the amount of
submissions received during
the development of welfare
standards and guidelines for
other industries,” said Ms
Plowman.
“AHA recognises and
appreciates the efforts of
all stakeholders who helped
spread the word about
public consultation, ensuring
the message went far and
wide. Such extensive public
consultation is what we set out
to achieve, so it’s a fantastic
result.
“We also thank everyone who
shared their views on the draft
document. These submissions
will help guide the development
of the next version of the
S&Gs and ensure that a robust
document is delivered to
Australia’s agriculture ministers,”
said Ms Plowman.
The draft standards mark an
important step forward in poultry
welfare in Australia, moving from
the existing voluntary system to
national regulation.
Further details about the process
can be found at
www.animalwelfarestandards.
net.au/poultry/poultry-publicconsultation
1
2
Public
consultation
went from Nov 2017
to Feb 2018; over
167,000 submissions
were received.
Submissions have
been reviewed by
an independent
consultant. A
summary report has
been delivered to
the Animal Welfare
Task Group (AWTG).
The AWTG includes
representatives
from all government
jurisdictions.
3
Based on the
feedback from
public consultation,
a revised welfare
standards document
will be developed
under the direction of
the AWTG.
4
5
20 THE LINK AUT/WIN 18
The revised welfare
standards will then
be provided for
consideration to
the Stakeholder
Advisory Group,
which is comprised
of representatives
from industry bodies,
welfare organisations
and all government
jurisdictions.
The S&Gs document
will be finalised
by the AWTG and
progress to Australia’s
agricultural ministers.
׉	 7cassandra://UmttipwzY5wOH8mxxwujphkA_kJzgsckPnZGBA9yMZQA.`j [h')R;׉EWhat’s happening at AHA?
First exercise
for the Marine
Pest Program
On 7-8 February 2018,
AHA in conjunction
with the Department
of Agriculture and
Water Resources
and Turning Point
Crisis Management,
facilitated the first
exercise for the Marine
Pest Exercise Program.
Funded by the Department of
Agriculture and Water Resources,
the two day exercise included
participants from the Australian
Government, each jurisdiction,
the CSIRO and the Ministry for
Primary Industries (New Zealand).
The exercise aimed to provide
an opportunity for participants
to improve their understanding
of emergency response systems
for marine pests, collaboratively
discuss their roles and
responsibilities in a marine pest
response and to highlight any
gaps and areas for improvement
for future exercises.
Participants found the exercise
to be informative and engaging,
and appreciated the chance to
meet the other participants in
person.
A second exercise was held
in Sydney during April which
engaged government members
and stakeholder groups. The
second exercise focussed on
operational elements of a
response and potential impacts of
response activities.
Yuta
Himura,
AHA’s
Emergency Preparedness and
Response Graduate Officer
“The best
thing about
this workshop
was the
opportunity
to discuss
potential
options for
the response
process with
colleagues and
talk through
grey areas.”
- Exercise participant
Participants visited the AHA office for the first marine pest exercise.
THE LINK AUT/WIN 18 21
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dρ9ׁH &http://farmbiosecurity.com.au/toolkit/ׁׁЈנ[h')RͿX 
[̕9ׁHhttps://lpa.nlis.comׁׁЈ׉EHWhat’s happening at AHA?
Feeding swill
is a ‘pig’ deal!
AHA Communications team
Whether you’re a
commercial enterprise
or own just one pig, you
have an important role
to play in protecting
your property and
Australia’s pork industry
from biosecurity
threats.
One of the easiest ways you can
do this is by feeding your pigs
the right feed and ensuring they
don’t eat anything that contains or
has come into contact with meat,
said Dr Rob Barwell, AHA’s Senior
Manager Biosecurity.
“Food waste that has come into
contact with meat or contains
meat must not be fed to pigs.
This type of food waste, known
as swill, could contain viruses
that are not found in Australian
livestock such as foot-and-mouth
disease (FMD), which can be
passed onto your pigs if they
consume the infected food waste.
“The virus can then spread to
other animals such as cattle
and sheep, which would have
significant implications not only
for your own property but for
the entire Australian livestock
industry.”
“A commercial pig feed is
the best choice for your pigs.
However, some pig producers
choose to reduce food waste by
feeding it to their pigs. This is
okay, as long as you feed them
appropriate recycled foods such as
fruit, vegetables and bread, which
haven’t come into contact with
meat,” said Dr Barwell.
It is believed that swill fed to pigs
may have caused the outbreak of
FMD in the UK in 2001, which had
a devastating impact on farmers
and the wider community.
“Prevention is always better than
cure. A large outbreak of FMD in
Australia could cost $50 billion
over 10 years, so taking simple
precautions, such as feeding your
pigs the right feed, is crucial,” said
Dr Barwell.
“Swill feeding is also illegal, with
significant penalties involved, so it
really isn’t worth the risk.”
For more information about what
is and isn’t safe to feed your pigs,
visit www.farmbiosecurity.com.au/
livestock/pigs/feeding-your-pigs.
Image credit: Australian Pork Limited
“Swill feeding is also illegal,
with significant penalties
involved, so it really isn’t
worth the risk.”
22 THE LINK AUT/WIN 18
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Want to save time?
Fill out your
Goat Health
Declarations online!
AHA Communications team
It’s now even simpler to
protect your property
and manage biosecurity
risks when purchasing
or selling goats, with
the addition of the
national Goat Health
Declaration to the
electronic National
Vendor Declaration
(eNVD) system.
It’s a move that makes it quicker
and easier for producers to share
information about the health of
their herd, said Bree Beattie, AHA’s
Biosecurity Coordinator.
“The Goat Health Declaration is an
important risk management tool
which allows buyers to assess the
risk a potential purchase represents
to their herd.
It provides
information
on a number
of significant
diseases as well
as drenching
and vaccination
history, giving
the potential
buyer a thorough
picture of the
health of the
goat they’re
looking to purchase,” said Ms
Beattie.
“Now that it’s available on the
eNVD system, producers can
fill out and send Goat Health
Declarations with a few clicks,
helping to speed up the entire
transaction process and making
it easier than ever to make an
informed purchasing decision.”
“The Goat Health Declaration
is an important risk
management tool which
allows buyers to assess the
risk a potential purchase
represents to their herd.”
The Goat Health Declaration joins
the NVD on the eNVD system
managed by the ISC, allowing
producers to fill out the forms at
the same time.
“Having these documents in the
one location offers benefits to
producers beyond saving them
time – it can also help them
improve their stock management
and prevent inaccuracies in the
information recorded on the
forms,” said Ms Beattie.
Producers can login to the eNVD
system at https://lpa.nlis.com.
au/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=/
The Goat Health Declaration can
also be downloaded from the
Farm Biosecurity website at www.
farmbiosecurity.com.au/toolkit/
declarations-and-statements.
THE LINK AUT/WIN 18 23
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Leadership
Profile
AHA Communications team
On its 25th Birthday,
with a gala audience of
400 guests, a cohort of
23 people graduated
from the Australian
Rural Leadership
Program (ARLP). AHA’s
Aquatic Biosecurity
Liaison Officer, Helen
Jenkins was one of the
leaders graduating from
the program.
For Helen, taking part in this
program had been an aspiration for
many years. After working over 27
years in the fisheries industry, she
said it was a natural step to take.
“I had wanted to take part in this
leadership program for quite some
time. In the fishing industry it’s
held in high esteem and indeed
a prestigious program. I was at a
stage in my life where I was ready
for a new opportunity and to take
my leadership skills to a new level,”
said Helen.
A 15-month program, the ARLP
spans 55 days, with five unique
sessions through Australia and
Indonesia. The program aims to
develop participants’ leadership
thinking, industry, community
24 THE LINK AUT/WIN 18
and regional engagement,
understandings of values and ethics
and personal strengths.
“The learning outcomes from the
program are collegial and it’s about
what you experience, reflect on,
interact with and teach yourself that
strengthens your ability to be more
courageous with your leadership
journey,” said Helen.
With a competitive application
process, and a rigorous interview
for those who are short listed, Helen
was successfully chosen to begin the
program in August 2016. Beginning
in Australia’s Kimberley region,
diverse leaders from Australia’s rural
and remote industries such as beef,
grains and art came together to
participate in a series of challenges
with survival as the ultimate goal.
“The Kimberley part is very
secretive, no-one talks about it.
You don’t know what to expect
and you don’t know what you’re
supposed to do. All participants
keep the code of silence and don’t
share what happens so that the
next cohort can experience it for
themselves,” said Helen.
Whilst Helen did well to survive
the challenges the cohort were
put through, coming home was a
different experience.
Helen Jenkins
AHA’s Aquatic
Biosecurity
Liaison Officer
“It’s difficult to explain. I felt
emotional, vulnerable and lonely
and went through a whole range
of emotions that I don’t normally
experience. Many others felt similar
emotions and it helped to regularly
reconnect with your outback team
and check to see how they were
coping,” said Helen.
The next time the group met would
be in Melbourne for media training
and crisis management. A short
while later, Helen found herself
facing her biggest challenge yet. In
early December 2016 an outbreak
of white spot disease in prawns was
detected in a river in Queensland’s
southeast.
At the time of the crisis, Helen
was the Executive Officer of
the Australian Prawn Farmers
Association, so the disease hit close
to home.
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“This was an extremely challenging
time for me and was one of the
most heartbreaking and emotional
times I have been through. To
watch your industry slowly being
destroyed by an exotic disease is
very difficult and cruel,” said Helen.
Helen worked with the Queensland
Government at the State
Coordination Centre for the
response to white spot for over
four months in the role of Industry
Liaison Officer, where she was
required to communicate with the
media, give evidence or prepare
written submissions, negotiate
financial assistance packages
for affected farms and keep the
industry informed.
“Farmers are proud of what they
do. I would not like to see any
industry have to go through a
similar experience. That’s why
biosecurity is so important and
being prepared for emergency
animal disease outbreaks is
crucial,” said Helen.
In July 2017, Helen joined AHA
as the new Aquatic Biosecurity
Liaison Officer based in northern
Australia. She believes that
taking part in the program, and
overcoming the challenge of
crisis management has given her
the strength to take on new and
challenging roles where she can
continue to utilize her experiences
and skills to assist other aquatic
sectors to be better prepared.
“Taking part in this program has
helped me to understand myself.
It’s not often leaders get a chance
to take themselves out of the work
environment and be put through
a series of challenges where you
have time to think about new
experiences,” said Helen.
“I have graduated from this
program but I feel that my
leadership journey is only just
starting. I believe I am now a
more intuitive leader who is able
to navigate complex situations
with various people, organisations
and communities across regional
Australia. I will be able to use these
skills for the rest of my life in any
capacity and situation.”
Helen Jenkins being presented with her certificate of completion by Chair of the ARLP Board Mr Michael Carroll.
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[9ׁHhttp://com.au/farmbiosecurityׁׁЈ׉EFarm Biosecurity Project
Banana growers
recognised
in biosecurity
awards
The winners of the
inaugural Farm
Biosecurity Producer
of The Year Award,
part of the Australian
Biosecurity Awards,
are Mackay Farming
Group from Tully,
Queensland, and
Rum Jungle Organics,
from Batchelor in the
Northern Territory.
The Farm Biosecurity Producer of
the Year Award was established by
AHA, PHA and the Department of
Agriculture and Water Resources
to recognise the contribution
of producers who demonstrate
outstanding, proactive on-farm
biosecurity practices.
AHA’s CEO, Kathleen Plowman,
said producers are key to
managing endemic diseases,
pests and weeds every day,
and are crucial in detecting and
containing exotic disease and
pest threats.
“It’s great to see producers who
are proactive about biosecurity,
using simple yet effective
methods to prevent or limit the
26 THE LINK AUT/WIN 18
impact that pests and diseases can
have on the health of crops and
livestock.”
PHA’s Executive Director and
CEO, Greg Fraser, added that the
award is the only one of its type,
recognising the work producers
do in safeguarding our country’s
excellent biosecurity record.
“These producers found
themselves caught up in two
separate outbreaks of significant
diseases of bananas. They know
from first-hand experience
what it’s like being involved in
an eradication or containment
response.”
AHA/PHA Farm Biosecurity
Project team
“They both deserve to be
recognised for their commitment
to biosecurity and personal
resilience in the face of very trying
experiences.”
The 2018 Australian Biosecurity
Awards were presented at a
gala dinner, part of the ABARES
Outlook Conference in Canberra
in March 2018.
For more information about
the winners visit www.
farmbiosecurity.com.au/
banana-growers-recognised-inbiosecurity-awards.
Gavin
and Cameron Mackay are proud recipients of the
Farm Biosecurity Producer of the Year Award.
׉	 7cassandra://h2om_2bQB0t_sZYm6Aj3ERcKnW9DhQ65Zfk5PALLZC0;`j [h')R;׉EFarm Biosecurity Project
Be ‘appy’!
Biosecurity
planning at
your fingertips
AHA/PHA Farm Biosecurity
Project team
It’s always a pleasure
to receive positive
feedback on the
FarmBiosecurity app,
which has reached
over 4,000 producers
since it was launched in
November 2016.
One such producer is Melinee
Leather, an organic beef producer
from central Queensland. She also
chairs the Animal Health, Welfare &
Biosecurity Committee within CCA.
The good news is Melinee loves
our FarmBiosecurity app!
We asked her to tell us what she
enjoyed about the app and the
first response was just what we like
to hear: it’s free, it’s easy to use, it
works without mobile service and it
does everything she needs.
“It’s a convenient way to store
and update individual biosecurity
plans for each of our properties,”
Melinee explained.
The ability to use your device to
attach photos to your plan was also
a big selling point.
“I can add photos and notes with
my iPhone when I am out and
about in the paddock, ensuring our
plans stay relevant and up-to-date.
It’s useful even when I’m working in
areas with no mobile service.”
Melinee also appreciated the
amount of information that is
available in the app.
“Emergency contact numbers,
useful links, information, checklists
and documents are all readily
available in my toolkit.
“Basically everything I need is just a
click away.”
For farmers looking to create a
plan in order to meet biosecurity
requirements for J-BAS or LPA,
the FarmBiosecurity app can help
identify high risk areas and provide
recommended actions. It will
also allow you to attach your own
Melinee Leather
Organic beef
producer, central
Queensland
photos and notes or create your
own action list, enabling you to
keep a comprehensive record of
your activities.
“The FarmBiosecurity app is always
useful during audits to demonstrate
our on-farm management and
monitoring of biosecurity,” Melinee
explained.
“Apps such as this underpin the
integrity of our systems.”
You can download the app from
the iOS App Store or the Google
Play Store. You can find more
information on the farm biosecurity
website at www.farmbiosecurity.
com.au/farmbiosecurity-app.
“Apps such
as this
underpin the
integrity of
our systems.”
THE LINK AUT/WIN 18 27
[h')R;[h')R;{בCט   {u׉׉	 7cassandra://iXLKJwWmfidMj5dh43uXl0pI7z-2V853hK0q2Zqvp4Q `׉	 7cassandra://955F6zH2Kt1EM5TwBTGqh09ZI6WQeg9RU3M9U_GrHEMͬ`׉	 7cassandra://Hpaqzex6HQr3sE7tj4ROOBq7jfkd3PKLOTaMDqf03Ks;K`j ׉	 7cassandra://a7mFP4dE92YTdBw6Pf-wa9kI0Rw6I6qlfl3TkTaFW4gͣk8͠	[h')RͿhנ[h')RͿd ́̽9׉H -mailto:info%40farmbiosecurity.com.au?subject=Gׁׁrנ[h')RͿe 9׉H -mailto:info%40farmbiosecurity.com.au?subject=Gׁׁr׉EFarm Biosecurity Project
The results are
in on the Farm
Biosecurity Project
Producer Survey!
AHA Communications team
A survey of Australian
producers has provided
some interesting
insights into farmers’
attitudes towards onfarm
biosecurity.
The Farm Biosecurity Project, a
joint initiative between AHA and
PHA, conducted the survey in the
first half of 2017 to determine
producers’ level of biosecurity
awareness, their current biosecurity
practices, their monitoring and
recording habits and preferred
method for the delivery of
information.
Importantly, knowledge about
on-farm biosecurity and awareness
about the Farm Biosecurity
Project are increasing, said Dr
Simon Humphrys, AHA’s Executive
Manager, Biosecurity and Product
Integrity Services.
“It’s great to see that since the
Farm Biosecurity Project first
conducted this survey in 2010,
producers have a stronger
understanding of what biosecurity
involves and that more farmers
are monitoring their crops and
livestock for diseases,” said
Dr Humphreys.
“We’re also seeing some
interesting changes to how
producers approach biosecurity.
For example, the survey revealed
that producers now increasingly
source biosecurity information from
industry bodies and groups.
“This type of information is very
useful for us to know, so that we
can continue to distribute the
right information via the right
channel. While the survey findings
overall reveal that we’re heading
in the right direction, there is still
room for improvement,” said Dr
Humphrys.
“The next step for us is to use
these results to guide the future
strategic direction of the Farm
Biosecurity Project so that we
can continue to raise awareness
about biosecurity and encourage
Dr Simon Humphrys,
AHA’s Executive
Manager Biosecurity
and Product Integrity
Services
producers to implement on-farm
biosecurity measures.”
Some of the key findings from
the survey can be viewed on the
following page. Please note that
the information contained in this
summary is a guide only. Please
contact info@farmbiosecurity.com.
au if you wish to verify or use any
data in this summary.
“Importantly, knowledge
about on-farm biosecurity
and awareness about the
Farm Biosecurity Project are
increasing.”
28 THE LINK AUT/WIN 18
׉	 7cassandra://Hpaqzex6HQr3sE7tj4ROOBq7jfkd3PKLOTaMDqf03Ks;K`j [h')R;׉E|Key survey results
56%
of producers correctly think
biosecurity means ‘controlling
diseases, pests and weeds’
of producers kept records
of monitoring crops/livestock
for pests/diseases
44%
25.5%
of producers get
their information from
industry bodies/groups
29% of producers prefer
receiving information in the
mail, whereas 59% prefer
email/electronic
THE LINK AUT/WIN 18 29
[h')R;[h')R;{בCט   {u׉׉	 7cassandra://S4t6HND0EvuZjt3l0Lz7rKMwoFtZmokTtRhxUgn9oPU Ƿ`׉	 7cassandra://s14E49QgyY1kr0s9cCMeXyxtrNXudWRK2lZEnMl6K5Ie`׉	 7cassandra://o08etRCuG9mOGu8FKdNj03oTFvNh9No_V3UOiiBiWN8L`j ׉	 7cassandra://Qr2Qx0zoW9j1A90aOmp14Rq64OIACpK4GMjTtrjLFKQ `	$͠	[h')RͿk׉E׉	 7cassandra://o08etRCuG9mOGu8FKdNj03oTFvNh9No_V3UOiiBiWN8L`j [h')R;׉EMember and Industry News
Meet Cattle Council
of Australia’s 2017
Rising Champion!
AHA Communications team
Each year, CCA supports
the NAB Agribusiness
Rising Champion
initiative, a program
that offers young
beef producers the
opportunity to network
with key beef industry
leaders and develop
their own professional
and interpersonal skills.
From hundreds of applications,
seven state and territory finalists
are selected before a final national
winner is announced. In 2017, the
winner of the Rising Champion
competition was Kylie Stretton
and it comes as no surprise – the
initiative aims to inspire, empower
and support young people who are
passionate about Australia’s beef
industry and Kylie definitely fits that
bill!
Owner and manager of Charters
Towers livestock agency, Northern
Livestock Service, Kylie produces
beef and free-range eggs on
her property ‘Clancella Downs’.
Keeping busy, Kylie is also the
co-founder of the ‘Ask an Aussie
Farmer’ community on Facebook,
an initiative to develop closer
connections between farmers and
consumers.
In 2014, Kylie was named as one
of Emerald Grains and Fairfax
Media’s 100 most influential
women in agriculture, and a finalist
in the 2015 AgriFutures Rural
Women’s Award. Kylie’s main
focusses within the beef industry
lie with consumer understanding
and collaboration within industry.
We caught up with Kylie to
hear her thoughts on the Rising
Champion initiative, the future of
the cattle industry and what makes
a good leader.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO
ACHIEVE AS THE WINNER OF
THE 2017 RISING CHAMPION
INITIATIVE?
I’m really looking forward to
learning about not just CCA, but
a whole range of organisations
that represent the industry. I’m
hoping to learn more about the
internal structures of the grass
fed beef industry and how others
work, both here in Australia and
overseas.
I’m also excited that I have the
opportunity to meet a whole
THE LINK AUT/WIN 18 31
[h')R;[h')R;{בCט   {u׉׉	 7cassandra://yEP78udZZjJhPhYNgyDYDmOk-p1_7qLEHlSSNXqjOeg -8`׉	 7cassandra://co8b23SF4g9rmRd-bMwCU4lRhVp8cVybgnRq7Svom6oڛ`׉	 7cassandra://MjL6ee1nD8nn_Vxjxcc2aoFjmZAw3NKPPvGbAid7roMA`j ׉	 7cassandra://c6ODiGZi1ovY0swWcsYAPrzd9m0Fnj0XJy6qEvN2HC8 	<͠	[h')RͿm׉EGrange of people and hopefully
learn a lot from them. I also hope
that I can continue to contribute
positively and do the youth of
the beef industry proud when I
represent them on the world stage
at the International Beef Alliance
Conference.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GET
INVOLVED IN THE CATTLE
INDUSTRY?
I actually really love working in
the natural environment. I have
always been fascinated by different
species of grass, trees, birds and
animals. My dad is a bit of an old
bushie and takes note of what’s
happening around him and my
mum has always encouraged us
to delve deeper into why things
happen, so I think that’s given
me a good grounding into doing
something like farming. I love
being the same with my kids,
except I’m really glad now that
we have Google and social media
where I can ask questions of so
many people! Growing up on a
cattle station near Charters Towers,
it made sense to raise beef as it’s
the perfect way to combine the
things I love; it helps my husband
also loves cattle!
We both enjoy pushing the
conventional boundaries with our
farming methods and thinking
outside the box because we both
get bored with routine! We’re not
happy to do things a certain way
just because they’ve always been
done that way, which is why we’ve
introduced pasture raised eggs
into our operation at ‘Clancella
Downs’, a first for our region! I
think farming keeps my mind active
as there’s always so much to learn
and no two days are the same.
We’re so proud of our little farm.
We’ve really looked outside the
“We’ve really looked outside
the box and have this little
place punching well above its
weight in terms of production,
but we’ve also been very
mindful about natural resource
management.”
box and have this place punching
well above its weight in terms
of production, but we’ve also
been very mindful about natural
resource management. Our
diversity of species in plants and
animals has absolutely boomed
here since we bought the place
five years ago, despite being in
severe drought for that time.
WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL
BE SOME OF THE KEY FOCUS
AREAS FOR THE CATTLE
INDUSTRY IN FUTURE?
My personal opinion is that the
two biggest issues we are facing
is leadership within our industry
(such as peak industry body
effectiveness, policy decisions
and collaboration) and public
relations (between farmerconsumer,
industry body-farmer
and government-constituents).
I think if we focus on those two
issues that a lot of the others will
fall into place or be easier to deal
with.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE
THE MOST IMPORTANT
VALUES TO DEMONSTRATE AS
A LEADER?
I feel being open and fair minded
is probably a big one. You need
to be able to not just listen,
but take on board what people
are saying (and especially hear
what they’re not saying). I think
32 THE LINK AUT/WIN 18
you need to be willing to stick
your neck out yourself - you’re
not always going to be popular,
but someone needs to take the
first step. You need to be able
to encourage and support those
around you because you’re only
as strong as the people you lead.
Some of the best leaders I know
invest a lot of time and effort
׉	 7cassandra://MjL6ee1nD8nn_Vxjxcc2aoFjmZAw3NKPPvGbAid7roMA`j [h')R;׉Exbuilding capacity in those around
them.
Pick yourself up, dust yourself
off and try again.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE
FOR OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE
LOOKING TO PROGRESS IN THE
AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY?
1. Just have a crack! You might
not start with the big farm,
or the dream job, but just
keep plugging away and
you never know where you’ll
end up. Seven years ago, my
husband Shane and I had
hardly anything but we dared
to dream, we worked hard, we
stuck our necks out and now
we’re slowly getting there.
2. Don’t give up! I applied for
Rising Champion five times
before last year. The 2017
competition was my last
chance before I was “too old”.
3. Surround yourself with positive
people from all walks of life.
Listen to them, lean on them
and ask for their advice.
I’ve found that both in my
advocacy and business that
good people really want to
help and support others that
are trying to build a good
business or have positive
impacts on their community.
Plenty of people will try and
knock you down - take their
criticism on board and use it
for self-reflection, but don’t let
it kill your flame.
4. Ask questions, thousands of
them.
*All photos to be credited to Vicki Miller
Photography.
Follow Kylie on
Facebook and
Instagram at
@ClancellaDowns
“You need
to be able to
encourage
and support
those around
you because
you’re only as
strong as the
people you
lead.”
THE LINK AUT/WIN 18 33
[h')R;[h')R;{בCט   {u׉׉	 7cassandra://V8nv5nf2P7Dyy963-g1aZOBf-afYulb2MRiX6G2f2r0 `׉	 7cassandra://kTAUSv874QjkG7mBiqFX6ezfjUkWRIEoLn0rQEOQrHYͲ/`׉	 7cassandra://EVyOXRJM6OQjX4p9vYeptEB-4Z_gVqr4sTyNUjmx7x86`j ׉	 7cassandra://RLUI87PVUrw5JZ_tK7momHBP-wkihJkZ2nWzyrh4OfI ̄͠	[h')RͿoנ[h')RͿt 
\9ׁH !http://www.farmbiosecurity.com.auׁׁЈנ[h')RͿs 
\9ׁH !http://www.mla.com.au/lpalearningׁׁЈנ[h')RͿr 
\9ׁH  http://www.mla.com.au/LPAchangesׁׁЈנ[h')RͿq 
\9ׁHhttp://www.mla.com.au/integrityׁׁЈ׉E+Member and Industry News
Biosecurity
boost through
strengthened
LPA program
Australia’s world
leading red meat
integrity system
has been enhanced
through significant
upgrades to the LPA
program, including
the introduction
of biosecurity
requirements.
The voluntary on-farm assurance
program is designed to ensure the
Australian red meat and livestock
industry maintains its global
reputation – and market access – as
a leader in food safety, integrity
and traceability.
The upgrades, which were
launched on 1 October 2017, also
included the introduction of animal
welfare requirements, an online
assessment to ensure producers
understand their responsibilities,
and an accreditation fee of $60
(plus GST) payable every three
years. New online learning modules
support producer understanding of
program requirements.
To meet the new biosecurity
requirements, LPA-accredited
producers are required to have in
34 THE LINK AUT/WIN 18
place a farm biosecurity plan and
implement effective biosecurity
practices on-farm. Where
reasonable and practical, they
must keep records of livestock
movements, as well as vehicle and
visitor movements. Biosecurity
practices are auditable and
form a part of the accreditation
assessment process.
Don Mackay, Red Meat Advisory
Council Chair said biosecurity is
a key competitive advantage for
Australian red meat producers.
“Most livestock producers
understand the benefits of robust
on-farm biosecurity practices to
their individual businesses, and
also to the future productivity and
sustainability of the industry both
domestically and globally,” Mr
Mackay said.
“The integration of biosecurity
requirements into the LPA
program highlights the
significance of completing a
thorough farm biosecurity plan.”
The ISC, a wholly owned
subsidiary of MLA, delivers the
program on behalf of the red
meat industry. Its CEO, Dr Jane
Weatherley, said producers had
Integrity
Systems
Company
A wholly owned subsidiary of
Meat & Livestock Australia
been proactive in understanding
and embracing the changes to
the LPA program.
“The changes enhance the
integrity of Australia’s $23 billion
red meat industry and ensure our
reputation and market access
is protected, strengthening
our promise to consumers and
keeping us one step ahead
of our competitors,” said Dr
Weatherley.
More than 18,000 producers have
renewed their LPA accreditation
since the requirements came into
effect.
“It’s encouraging to know that
producers have taken the time to
understand their responsibilities,
do the online learning modules
and complete the accreditation
process.”
More than 5,500 producers have
also attended workshops across
Australia to learn about the
changes to LPA, and in particular
the introduction of biosecurity
requirements for cattle, sheep
and goats.
“Attending the workshops gave
producers the opportunity to
׉	 7cassandra://EVyOXRJM6OQjX4p9vYeptEB-4Z_gVqr4sTyNUjmx7x86`j [h')R;׉EMember and Industry News
ask questions about the new
biosecurity requirements and
understand from a practical
perspective what they need to
do on-farm,” said Howard Smith,
President of CCA.
LPA-accredited mixed farmer
Andrew Bell says the Sheepmeat
Council of Australia* workshop
he attended in Horsham, Victoria
in mid-October helped him
understand the new requirements.
At the workshop, he and more
than 100 other producers, worked
through how to create a biosecurity
plan for their farms.
“A lot of it is common sense.
Going to the workshop was a
valuable exercise and has helped
me formulate a farm biosecurity
plan,” Mr Bell said.
“Undertaking a biosecurity plan
will make producers think about
the importance of record keeping
and how they would react if there
were a biosecurity breach.
“If we can show we’re cleaner,
greener and more transparent,
it will be a lot easier to sell our
products.”
ISC has created an LPA On-Farm
Biosecurity Plan template, to
support producers to meet the
new biosecurity requirements.
The template was mailed to all
LPA-accredited producers and is
available online. The template
requires the property details and
on-farm risk map. It asks producers
about their current on-farm
practices, outlines recommended
practices, and lists relevant tools
and resources.
ISC encourages property owners
to regularly refer to their plan, and
review it at least annually.
More than 5,500 producers
have also attended workshops
across Australia to learn about
the changes to LPA...
In addition to the farm biosecurity
plan template, ISC has prepared
other resources to guide
producers through the biosecurity
requirements. These include a
biosecurity fact sheet, a short
video, a guidebook covering all
program requirements, and a
dedicated biosecurity module in
LPA Learning.
To download the resources, visit
www.mla.com.au/integrity
(see ‘tools and resources’)
For information on the
LPA changes, visit
www.mla.com.au/LPAchanges
For LPA Learning, visit
www.mla.com.au/lpalearning
For more biosecurity tips visit
www.farmbiosecurity.com.au
*The Sheepmeat Council of Australia are
known as Sheep Producers of Australia as of
November 2017.
THE LINK AUT/WIN 18 35
[h')R;[h')R;{בCט   {u׉׉	 7cassandra://ifk0iLGcdkUjXMEDiZWe1n2AGTqsEfKxXjfnDGgqdhs T|`׉	 7cassandra://syJxYbLTkM7KE3RHpRqRjVKbdA1DZEd1inkzngXP1CMͪ`׉	 7cassandra://hdj6sJL6uzTdQVyILbn64eTIedWba4KrBuh4ug-M89Q8*`j ׉	 7cassandra://SlZ-gVnMRyjPlhltdm7ppgEpeb6xoJysAgzju2W2zEo <͠	[h')RͿuנ[h')RͿy Pa9ׁH 0mailto:publications@animalhealthaustralia.com.auׁׁЈנ[h')RͿx PR9ׁH -http://www.animalwelfarestandards.net.au/goatׁׁЈ׉E	Member and Industry News
AgForce and NAB
team-up to better
value our natural assets
AgForce Queensland
and NAB
Queensland’s peak body
for broadacre primary
producers has joined
forces with Australia’s
largest agribusiness
bank to drive improved
land management
practices that can assist
both the agricultural
and financial industries.
Against the backdrop of Beef
Australia 2018 in early May,
AgForce and NAB signed a historic
Memorandum of Understanding
to collaborate and share resources
to deliver positive economic
and environmental outcomes for
agriculture while also reducing
financial risk.
AgForce CEO Michael Guerin
said ‘natural capital’ assets were
elements such as our land, soil,
water and air that directly or
indirectly provide value and are the
building blocks of food and fibre
production.
“AgForce is looking to put a dollar
value on our natural capital and
how we manage these resources
36 THE LINK AUT/WIN 18
through on-the-ground actions,”
he said.
“We’re looking to demonstrate
how primary producers are looking
after the environment sustainably
for current and future generations,
while also allowing financial risk to
be better priced.
“It’s about reclaiming our green
credentials and showcasing
that farmers are the true
environmentalists, and that natural
capital is worth preserving.
“Through this partnership,
AgForce and NAB will look in
detail at how land management
practices backed by data can
assist both the agricultural and
financial industries.
“The partnership is something
unique for Queensland and
given time will expand with other
collaborators to all states and
territories.
“AgForce is determined to lead
the way in building collaborative
opportunities that provide direct
environmental and economic
benefits to producers.”
NAB Executive General Manager
Specialised Banking, Julie Rynski,
said NAB was delighted to be
collaborating with AgForce to
better understand the value of
our natural capital and drive
rural land management practices
that deliver good economic and
environmental outcomes.
“NAB recognises increasing
pressure on the natural capital
that underpins our economic
system could impact future asset
and business value,” Ms Rynski
said.
“Natural value is part of our
journey towards understanding
natural capital risks, opportunities
and integrating natural capital
considerations into our day“...showcasing
that farmers are
the true environmentalists, and
that natural capital is worth
preserving.”
׉	 7cassandra://hdj6sJL6uzTdQVyILbn64eTIedWba4KrBuh4ug-M89Q8*`j [h')R;׉EMember and Industry News
to-day decision making and risk
assessment processes.
“We need to manage our natural
capital with the same diligence that
we manage our financial capital.
This means accounting for the
availability of clean water, investing
in biodiversity and putting a value
on soil conservation.”
Mr Guerin and Ms Rynski said the
two organisations would now work
together on key economic and
practical metrics to help identify
sustainably managed land and
improve the financial sector’s
understanding of agricultural risk
linked to natural capital.
James Bentley (middle), Manager of Natural Value, Corporate Responsibility at NAB presenting
at the Sustainability in the Supply Chain and how Australian Beef fits into the Global Supply Chain
forum at Beef Week 2018.
No more
kidding around
with welfare
Ensuring the best welfare for your
goats can help maintain market
access and enhance productivity,
which is why all goat producers
should check out the new Australian
Industry Welfare Standards and
Guidelines for Goats.
Download a copy online at
www.animalwelfarestandards.net.au/goat or email
publications@animalhealthaustralia.com.au for a hard copy.
THE LINK AUT/WIN 18 37
Improve
productivity
Maintain
market
access
Increase
demand
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dj9ׁH &http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/1biosecurity.ׁׁЈ׉E
Member and Industry News
One
Biosecurity
- the future
starts now
A new voluntary
biosecurity program,
designed to provide
greater market
credibility and
welfare outcomes,
less vulnerability to
uncontrolled disease
spread, better disease
reporting and improved
traceability will soon
be launched in South
Australia (SA).
Designed by a Joint IndustryBiosecurity
SA working group,
the first release of the program,
titled One Biosecurity is due to be
launched mid-2018. It will target
cattle and sheep industries to
help SA producers better manage,
protect and promote SA’s strong
biosecurity regime across its
livestock industry.
Producers know that the best way
to protect the biosecurity of a farm
is by controlling what comes onto
the farm, said Dr Roger Paskin,
SA’s Chief Veterinary Officer.
“One Biosecurity is designed on
the concept that buying decisions
are crucial, therefore buyers
need to make a pre-purchase
assessment of stock on sale based
on information from the seller.
With One Biosecurity, the seller
makes a declaration about two key
issues: the level of sophistication
of biosecurity measures in place
on-farm, and the health status
of the animals for sale,” said Dr
Paskin.
Before the creation of the One
Biosecurity system, Biosecurity SA
conducted a number of studies
to ensure the viability of the
proposed system. An attitudinal
survey showed that approximately
two-thirds of producers were in
Agents and prospective buyers
could also use the portal to
search for sellers of a specific
class of animal with a specified
biosecurity status.
38 THE LINK AUT/WIN 18
Dr Roger
Paskin
Chief
Veterinary Officer,
South Australia
favour of the system. On-farm
trials were then conducted
across 19 farms in a number of
different systems to ensure the
concept was flexible enough
across a wide range of situations.
Feedback from the producers
involved was that the system
and its documentation is simple,
understandable and easy to
implement.
Central to One Biosecurity is the
ability for producers to register,
manage, check and declare their
farm biosecurity status online.
“Once registered, producers
create an online profile
containing details of their farming
enterprises and biosecurity
practices and status. Producers
can choose to make their profiles
public for other registered users
to view. It will also enable them
to quickly generate a government
and industry endorsed biosecurity
plan for their property. This can
be downloaded and used not
only for One Biosecurity, but for
other programs that require a
farm biosecurity plan, in particular
the LPA scheme,” said Dr Paskin.
The system is designed to
bring about a greater level of
transparency in the livestock
׉	 7cassandra://_-iY96UtNiutYt0QZb8DHkhQ4RaFrWyFn9K9B-XXyRw;`j [h')R;׉EKMember and Industry News
class of animal with a specified
biosecurity status. The portal thus
creates a connection between
potential vendors and purchasers.
trade, and linked to this, a
greater level of biosecurity risk
management. The portal is mobilefriendly,
meaning that a producer
attending a livestock sale, for
example, will be able to ascertain
the biosecurity credentials of a
seller on location in the saleyard.
The online software uses a simple
scoring system which generates
two important factors: the Farm
Biosecurity Rating (one to five
stars) and, should the producer so
choose, a Farm Disease Risk Rating
for a series of selected diseases.
Thus the biosecurity rating
status is a score based on actual
on-farm practices. Diseases
currently available for which the
producer may wish to record a
status are JD (cattle and sheep),
pestivirus (cattle), sheep lice
and ovine footrot. A range of
options are possible for each
disease from “not currently
classified” to “independently
assessed” (low risk).
Agents and prospective buyers
could also use the portal to
search for sellers of a specific
Biosecurity SA will be responsible
for carrying out assessments –
both online and through farm
visits - ensuring the credibility of
One Biosecurity.
Work on the One Biosecurity
portal is almost completed.
Producers from around the
state and across sectors have
participated in the user trial,
with their feedback and userexperience
helping to finalise the
new program before it opens for
registration.
For more information visit
www.pir.sa.gov.au/1biosecurity.
Bendigo Regional
Exhibition Centre
Prince of Wales Showgrounds Bendigo
Thu 23 - Sun 26 August 2018
www.australianalpacaspectacular.com.au
The best alpacas
in Australia on
display and in
competition
Featuring the
Australian Alpaca
Association
National Elite
Auction
THE LINK AUT/WIN 18 39
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Have you
registered
your pigs?
AHA Communications team
Whether you’re a pig
producer or simply
keep a pet pig, you
need to make sure your
pig is registered with
PigPass, Australia’s
system to record all pig
movements.
Mandatory reporting of all pig
movements through PigPass
was introduced by the state and
territory governments in February
2018.
Deb Kerr, Australian Pork Limited
(APL) General Manager, Policy
said mandatory reporting was
an important step in ensuring
the industry was prepared for
an emergency animal disease
outbreak.
“The move to bring in mandatory
reporting for pigs helps to give
a clear picture of all movements,
allowing authorities to quickly
determine the source of a disease
outbreak and notify all pig owners
in the affected area to protect
animals and stop the spread of
disease,” said Ms Kerr.
PigPass will bring the industry in
line with other livestock industries,
such as cattle and sheep, who can
be tracked through the National
Livestock Identification System
(NLIS).
PigPass links pigs to their property
of origin by using a Property
Identification Code, registered
pig identification (ear tags or
tattoos) and PigPass movement
documentation.
The importance for producers to
ensure they are using PigPass is
Deb Kerr,
APL’s General
Manager, Policy
tied to the consequences that a
disease outbreak, such as FMD
could have on the Australian
economy, reducing the gross
domestic profit by up to $50 billion
over ten years.
“PigPass and the NLIS system have
the capacity to reduce the social
and financial impact of a disease
epidemic through improved
identification and traceability
capability,” said Ms Kerr.
“PigPass and the
NLIS system have the
capacity to reduce
the social and financial
impact of a disease epidemic...”
40 THE LINK AUT/WIN 18
“Australia’s pork industry
identification and trace-back
capabilities are designed to
ensure the industry maintains and
develops an effective traceability
system in the most cost effective
way.”
For more information and
to register with the PigPass
system visit https://pigpass.
australianpork.com.au/faq.
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[h')R;Ɓ[h')R;Ł{בCט   {u׉׉	 7cassandra://pCNWKc11K0rR-fBZ9CS0BhsCQgO9C98crzB_l_hIwcc `׉	 7cassandra://XyfHO40D9eyHLlNdwoTIp3II7-2dBbRNICj9BDUfJpg3`׉	 7cassandra://0_R8eb8QKexZrX3LsV5nQ1gd5k_ypqcefPNogtS5RTQAM`j ׉	 7cassandra://ECiO49VgPW8ErNVR8Q1Yz456D0XmSo5BdgqrxWMmpWs ͠	[h')RͿנ[h')RͿ }̝9׉Hhttp://www.ealpaca.com.auGׁׁrנ[h')RͿ ̍9׉Hhttp://www.alpaca.asn.auGׁׁr׉E	Member and Industry News
All-paca your
information in
one place!
AHA Communications team
Managing your
alpaca herd has never
been easier with
the introduction of
eAlpaca, a new online
platform from the
Australian Alpaca
Association (AAA).
With a simple user interface, the
online registry and show system
allows users to manage several
different aspects of their alpaca
business, said Fiona Vanderbeek,
AAA’s Vice-President.
“Users can easily update their
personal account details, register
animals for breeding, view the
International Alpaca Registry and
complete all steps of an animal
transfer electronically,” said Ms
Vanderbeek.
“Producers can also enter
their animals in the nationwide
network of AAA alpaca shows,
access an in-breeding calculator,
and have the ability to connect
with other members.”
The system was developed to
address feedback from AAA’s
members in 2013. Over the next
four years, AAA sought advice
from specialists such as show
conveners, vets and the Q-Alpaca
registrar, as well as AAA staff and
members to create a system that
was suitable for a large variety
of producers, from hobbyists to
commercial farmers.
The eAlpaca platform officially
launched in November 2017
and has been well-received by
“Users can easily update their
personal account details,
register animals for breeding,
view the International Alpaca
Registry and complete all
steps of an animal transfer
electronically.”
42 THE LINK AUT/WIN 18
Fiona
Vanderbeek,
AAA’s
Vice-President
producers since it went live.
“In the first two weeks of the
system becoming active, about
a third of our membership had
already logged into the system,”
said Ms Vanderbeek.
“The response from members
has been very positive, which is
fantastic. We’ll continue to listen
to our members to improve the
system further.”
The latest updates to the platform
include the ability to set up leases,
manage agisted animals and
order registration ear tags; soon
to come will be the ability for
electronic communication between
producers and their vets, further
reducing the need for paperwork
and streamlining animal health and
biosecurity procedures.
You must be an AAA member
to access all the features of the
eAlpaca system, but you can set
up a guest account free of charge
to explore key aspects. To set up a
guest account, or to find out more
about AAA membership, go to
www.ealpaca.com.au. For general
information on the alpaca industry
go to www.alpaca.asn.au.
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“I am not really computersavvy
but I found eAlpaca
intuitive, fast and so very easy
to use, congratulations!”
Feedback
“It’s fantastic… the AAA should
be commended for taking this
progressive direction.”
Image credit: Australian Alpaca Association
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Member and Industry News
Surveillance
strengthened
across northern
Australia
The Australian,
state and territory
governments in
collaboration with
industry are partnering
to deliver the Northern
Australian Biosecurity
Surveillance (NABS)
project which will
improve the quality
and accessibility of
significant disease
investigation in
livestock in northern
Australia.
People who conduct surveillance
activities in the north, such
as veterinarians and livestock
producers, can experience vast
challenges in conducting disease
investigations. The NABS project,
which began in January 2017 and
runs until June 2019, will make this
task easier by providing them with
tools and resources to assist.
Pastoral properties and
veterinarians will be supplied with
post-mortem (PM) sampling kits to
be used to collect samples from
livestock. The kits will also enable
property staff to collect maggots
from fly-blown wounds. To ensure
their efficacy, producers will need
to use the kits under direction
from their veterinarian, and it is
recommended they are kept in an
easily accessible location.
As part of the initiative, Biosecurity
Queensland held two emergency
animal disease workshops in
mid 2017 for private veterinary
practitioners in northern
“A NABS Significant Disease
Investigation Network was
launched in early 2018 to
assist private and government
veterinarians to join forces
on disease investigations in
northern Australia.”
44 THE LINK AUT/WIN 18
Elizabeth Stedman
Veterinary Officer – Darwin
Region, Department of Primary
Industry and Resources
Northern Territory
Queensland, about the disease
investigation tools and resources.
Biosecurity Queensland are also
keeping PM kits in their regional
offices to provide to producers
and veterinarians when they visit
properties and local sale yards.
A NABS Significant Disease
Investigation Network (SDI)
was launched in early 2018 to
assist private and government
veterinarians to join forces on
disease investigations in northern
Australia. The SDI Network
includes opportunities for vets
and diagnosticians to share
knowledge and approaches,
conduct more complete case workups,
collaborate on laboratory
submissions and better share
information about disease events
across the north.
This project is a joint initiative
by the Australian Government
Department of Agriculture
and Water Resources, Western
Australian Department of
Primary Industries and Regional
Development, Northern Territory
Department of Primary Industry
and Resources, and Biosecurity
Queensland.
It is funded under the Australian
Government’s Agricultural
׉	 7cassandra://GIFd2rROgShLXgUcCjePQNQKXCBaYN_s5TyVy_zSQYU=`j [h')R;׉EMember and Industry News
Competitiveness and Developing
Northern Australia White Papers,
the government’s plans for stronger
farmers, a stronger economy and a
safe, secure Australia.
Further information about the NABS
project is available from the following
coordinators:
• WA - Marion Seymour
08 9651 0534
Marion.Seymour@dpird.wa.gov.au
• NT – Susanne Fitzpatrick
08 8999 2123
susanne.fitzpatrick@nt.gov.au
• QLD - Nina Kung
07 3087 8022
Nina.Kung@daf.qld.gov.au
An example of a post-mortem sampling kit.
THE LINK AUT/WIN 18 45
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A biosecurity
sign of the times
A simple sign on the
farm gate has launched
an education and
assistance program
to inform producers
in the NSW Northern
Tablelands on
current biosecurity
requirements, helping
them to maximise their
access to competitive
markets.
Northern Tablelands Local Land
Services (LLS) has reached out to its
producers with a raft of support to
share awareness and meet modern
expectations of an ever-expanding
market.
It began with an LLS-produced sign
in 2015, an adaptation of the AHA
design, to hang on the farm gate.
The sign is a visible reminder that
the producer is implementing farm
biosecurity plan practices in their
day-to-day operations and longterm
planning, underpinning quality
assurance.
“Initially we wanted to provide the
signs for front gates to indicate
you did have a plan, and to remind
people moving machinery or
animals onto the farm to consider
the farm’s biosecurity,” said
Northern Tablelands LLS District
Veterinarian Dr Andrew Biddle.
The uptake was very positive, with
an initial print run of 1,300 signs. As
national biosecurity regulations have
evolved, interest has grown again.
46 THE LINK AUT/WIN 18
Since early June 2017, 1,800
people have attended and
participated in Northern Tablelands
LLS workshops and events where
farm biosecurity plan information
was shared. As a result, the
Northern Tablelands LLS received
over 1,500 farm biosecurity planspecific
counter enquiries and
phone calls.
Northern Tablelands LLS has a
team of Biosecurity Officers and
District Veterinarians to support
producers as they translate their
traditional biosecurity planning and
record-keeping into contemporary
templates which meet LPA
requirements for farm biosecurity
plans and JD assurance schemes.
These are available from the
Northern Tablelands LLS website
and offices.
The creation of a farm biosecurity
plan supports sustainable practices
and empowers producers to make
informed and positive decisions.
“Biosecurity planning includes
understanding the pests, diseases
and plant or animal health
problems that do or don’t occur
on a farm. For those not currently
affecting the enterprise, the farm
biosecurity plan can outline how
to maintain this situation. For
diseases that do occur in the herd
or flock, the farm biosecurity plan
can outline how to manage the
disease,” said Dr Biddle.
“Creating and implementing a
comprehensive farm biosecurity
plan is a blueprint to optimising
District Vet Andrew Biddle, along with the
Northern Tablelands LLS Biosecurity Team,
distributed biosecurity farm gate signs to
landholders as a tool to assist them with their
farm biosecurity planning.
Dr Andrew
Biddle,
Northern
Tablelands Local Land
Services Veterinarian
animal health, as well as complying
with the requirements to have a
plan.
“Anyone can sign a piece of paper,
but it’s the understanding and
ownership of the plan they are
implementing that is important.”
For more information about farm
biosecurity plans contact the
Biosecurity Team at Northern
Tablelands Local Land Services on
02 6732 8800.
׉	 7cassandra://vmHOeVnx4M2aLZdW2i_YucUNaRy1J9FjebTSBLfjBMUC`j [h')R;׉ETHE LINK AUT/WIN 18 47
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͠	[h')RͿ׉EXMember and Industry News
Meet our members
AHA works in partnership with our members and other stakeholders to keep
Australia free of new and emerging diseases and to improve animal health,
strengthen biosecurity, enhance market access and foster the resilience and
integrity of the Australian animal health system.
Each edition we’ll introduce
you to one of our 33 member
organisations so you can learn a bit
more about the great work they do
for Australian agriculture. This issue
we caught up with the Australian
Lot Feeders’ Association and its
CEO, Christian Mulders.
Australian Lot Feeders’
Association
The Australian Lot Feeders’
Association (ALFA) are the peak
national body for the grain fed
beef industry in Australia.
ALFA has four main roles:
• To represent the cattle feedlot
industry
•
Direct the expenditure
of the grain fed cattle
transaction levy within AHA,
the National Residue Survey
and MLA
•
Improve the industry
through standards, training,
events, leadership, awards,
careers development and
employment facilitation
Membership services
Their mission is to lead the
•
industry in a manner that
fosters excellence and integrity;
improves the feedlot business
environment; and ensures its
community standing.
“What I love about
working with ALFA is
their willingness to
adapt to a changing
industry landscape
and their strong focus
on enhancing welfare
and biosecurity. This
is evident in their
implementation of a
number of significant
initiatives such as
the National Feedlot
Accreditation Scheme
and the Feedlot Code
of Practice.”
- Kathleen Plowman
AHA CEO
48 THE LINK AUT/WIN 18
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Member and Industry News
Spotlight
Christian Mulders
We had a chat with
ALFA’s CEO, Christian
Mulders about his
experiences over the
years, thoughts on the
industry and some of his
highlights along
the way.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE THE
MOST ABOUT YOUR ROLE?
At a high level, being part of an
association that contributes to the
prosperity of Australia’s red meat
and livestock industry which, on so
many levels, is such an important
sector for Australia. On a personal
level, being part of a team who are
single-minded about delivering
outcomes that make a difference
to our members’ businesses, the
lives of the people who work in
those businesses and the fantastic
product they produce.
DO YOU HAVE ANY
HIGHLIGHTS FROM ALONG
THE WAY?
Throughout my career I have been
involved in industry systems such
as the LPA program, the NLIS,
National Vendor Declarations
The
red meat
industry
has over
75,000
businesses
(NVD) and more
recently the
National Feedlot
Accreditation
Scheme – all of
which underpin the
integrity of our product
and deliver Australian red
meat’s enviable reputation around
the globe.
A key highlight was the
development of the Meat Industry’s
Animal Welfare Certification System
which is an independently audited
animal welfare program linked to
a certified trademark that enables
meat processors to demonstrate
their commitment to best practice.
The program boasts coverage of
over 80% of meat production and
the trademark has been adopted
commercially at retail, including
by the ALDI supply chain. That’s
something I’m really proud of.
WHAT DO YOU THINK
IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE
THE INDUSTRY IS CURRENTLY
FACING?
The price of red meat products at
retail comparative to other proteins
is certainly challenging on the
domestic front; as is the growing
who
employ
over
178,000
people
divide between
urban and
rural Australia
and the relative
knowledge of
everyday Australians
about how their food
is produced. As the world’s
largest exporter of beef and goat
meat and second largest for sheep
meat, maximising market access
opportunities remains the red meat
and livestock industry’s number
one priority.
DO YOU THINK THE
INDUSTRY IS WELL POSITIONED
FOR THE FUTURE?
The prosperity of the nation is
linked to the prosperity of our
sector. Industry, through the Red
Meat Advisory Council, is investing
in the Meat Industry Strategic Plan
2020, developed to unlock up to
$7b in growth for Australian red
meat and livestock businesses.
We also have in place genuine
industry-government partnership
platforms, dedicated to protecting
Australia’s great reputation and
growing opportunities for those
who work hard to produce the
world’s greatest red meat.
earning
approx
$18b for
Australia’s
economy
THE LINK AUT/WIN 18 49
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Staying one step
ahead of FMD
Some of Australia’s greatest research minds in the field of
FMD are working on the FMD Ready project*, which aims to
strengthen preparedness for an emergency animal disease
outbreak and facilitate an earlier return to trade for Australia
following control of such a disease, using FMD as a model.
Check out https://research.csiro.au/fmd/ for more information.
VETLEARN course for
veterinarians, hobby
farmers and backyard
livestock
This free 2-hour online course provides veterinarians with the
confidence and resources to build their business and improve
engagement with hobby farmers, smallholders and clients with
backyard livestock. This course is relevant to all veterinarians
nationally and will earn 2 CPD or VETED points.
To register or for more information visit:
www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/greater-sydney-peri-urban.
Have your say on Australia’s National
Biosecurity Statement
A National Biosecurity Statement will present a common and unified approach to biosecurity for
everyone involved in the biosecurity system. Share your ideas on what should be included in the
statement by making a submission before 31 October 2018. For more information visit:
www.haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/national-biosecurity-statement.
*This project is supported by Meat and Livestock Australia, through funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources as part of
its Rural R&D for Profit program, and by producer levies from Australian FMD-susceptible livestock (cattle, sheep, goats and pigs) industries and Charles Sturt University
(CSU), leveraging significant in-kind support from the research partners. The research partners for this project are the Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research
Organisation (CSIRO), CSU through the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, the Bureau of Meteorology and the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water
Resources, supported by Animal Health Australia.
׉	 7cassandra://Az2_ajln7jXj4v_p1tUrC6UXEo3_UE4fOFHwxwSHazA?`j [h')R;׉EWant to know more
about chook health?
The Australian Chicken Meat Federation has launched a blog
called Chook Chat to provide information for the general public
about the chicken industry and to discuss how the industry is
addressing challenges facing them.
For more information visit: www.chicken.org.au/chookchat.
The Australian Animal
Welfare Standards and
Guidelines (S&Gs) for
Saleyards and Depots
have now been finalised
The S&Gs reflect the commitment of jurisdictions to a nationally
consistent approach to animal welfare. They promote humane
and considerate treatment of livestock handled through Australian
saleyards and depots and inform all people responsible for the
management of livestock about their responsibilities.
For specific information and timelines please contact your relevant state
or territory government agency. For more information about the S&Gs visit:
www.animalwelfarestandards.net.au/livestock-at-saleyards-and-depots.
Want to keep up-to-date with the latest
animal health and farm biosecurity news?
Visit www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/subscribe and subscribe to our
monthly newsletters - AHA Express and Farm Biosecurity News.
THE LINK AUT/WIN 18 51
[h')R;Ё[h')R;ρ{בCט   {u׉׉	 7cassandra://9yVTmgEQh1FR6v3a54GL4cUL2JOOcwLEHFZb_zhW7KM `׉	 7cassandra://H_8_hFLTJR0V3j0tlryHE7vQzUMPvMZXV1QDN8kjy7o͓`׉	 7cassandra://H-UbLn07VuSx_Fh0Fb6pyCng5C65FG6-7ph_6snD-Ck7`j ׉	 7cassandra://PfSgGC-5kCTnJCosgEuy1qyPrh_uyctM43ZLdsowfqs U͠	[h')RͿנ[h')RͿ "S9׉H [http://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/our-publications/animal-health-in-australia-report/Gׁׁrנ[h')RͿ y*S9ׁH ,http://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/ahiaׁׁЈ׉E52 THE LINK AUT/WIN 18
׉	 7cassandra://H-UbLn07VuSx_Fh0Fb6pyCng5C65FG6-7ph_6snD-Ck7`j [h')R;׉EThe Animal
Health in
Australia
2017 report
is now
available!
This is the 25th edition in the Animal Health in Australia series – an annual summary of Australia’s
animal health status and system. The report highlights Australia’s commitment to biosecurity
and excellent reputation as a producer of safe and healthy animals and animal products. View the
report at - www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/ahia
[h')R;ҁ[h')R;с{בCט   {u׉׉	 7cassandra://022yrCUhqL_ok2iujGqrXpc9IXsiWFOE0rC4bdPKSdc #`׉	 7cassandra://XwIrnJIHgqLZLmv-1ojQJl28yAzONJtkwch5y7MUyZkmm`S׉	 7cassandra://kCMWzg1-quH60VU-PFQlR8Q_ib_T7-BsxYbLrlCaJkg&0`̵ ׉	 7cassandra://Kg2-QrbwyyclQAFzku9v-xyf4SyuWRTfrZxUAhudKy8 ͠[h')RͿנ[h')RͿ &2T9ׁH ,http://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/hireׁׁЈנ[h')RͿ C9ׁH *mailto:events@animalhealthaustralia.com.auׁׁЈ׉EAfter a
venue that
ticks ALL
the boxes?
MULTIPURPOSE
FUNCTION SPACE
CENTRAL CANBERRA
LOCATION
NATURAL LIGHTING IN
ALL ROOMS
BREAKOUT ROOMS
PLUS OUTDOOR SPACE
QUALITY AUDIO
VISUAL EQUIPMENT
COMPLIMENTARY
WI-FI
DELICIOUS CATERING
OPTIONS
To enquire or book your event at AHA please contact
(02) 6232 5522 or events@animalhealthaustralia.com.au
For more information visit www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/hire
׉	 7cassandra://kCMWzg1-quH60VU-PFQlR8Q_ib_T7-BsxYbLrlCaJkg&0`̵ [h')R;׈E[h')R;ԁ[h')R;Ӂ{,The Link A-W 2018 The Link features stories from producers, vets and others who work in the agriculture industry and shares what AHA is working on to strengthen the animal health system. It showcases the achievements of our members, partners and stakeholders and provides Australian agricultural news. [h{aI