AHA Update March 2010
Feature story
Ralph Hood
It was with much sadness we learned that Ralph Hood had passed away on Friday 12 February 2010. Since he was diagnosed with a particularly-aggressive form of cancer in 2007, Ralph showed the quiet courage, fighting spirit and stoicism that we all greatly admired and respected.
During his five years as CEO of Animal Health Australia, Ralph made an invaluable contribution to Australia’s livestock industries. In this position his thoughtful, constructive leadership and unobtrusive advocacy left a lasting legacy for this organisation. Before that, Ralph had a long and distinguished career with MLA (then AMLC), including several senior overseas postings where he again was able to work so effectively for our cattle and sheep industries.
We have received numerous messages from individuals and organisations across the livestock industries, expressing their condolences – together with acknowledgements of Ralph’s achievements and great work over such a long period. The AHA Board and staff join with you in offering their deepest sympathy to Trish and their family.
Global Biosecurity 2010
Early this month several AHA members of staff attended Global Biosecurity 2010: safeguarding agriculture and the environment, in Brisbane.
The conference attracted 450 delegates, including representatives from biosecurity agencies, research organisations, agricultural industries, environmental organisations, and a number of international agencies.
The conference featured several plenary sessions, including The biosecurity drivers for agriculture in the USA, Ms Rebecca Bach, US Department of Agriculture and Reshaping agricultural biosecurity for Australia, Mr Rob Delane, Department of Agriculture and Food, WA. Lorna Citer, Manager Endemic Diseases, gave a presentation about the National Goat Health Statement, highlighting AHA’s work with industry and government to coordinate national initiatives and the benefits of using the statement as part of a comprehensive biosecurity plan.
In further collaboration with Plant Health Australia, AHA jointly hosted a Farm Biosecurity booth which showcased the program and the messages produced to raise producer awareness of on farm biosecurity practices. There was a lot of interest created by the booth with many delegates taking materials for their own use and ordering further quantities for delivery after the conference.
The Farm Biosecurity team submitted a poster on the program and the successful collaboration of the two companies in the poster competition. The poster was peer-selected, from a field of over 30 posters, as the winning entry.
Global Biosecurity 2010 Farm Biosecurity poster (565 KB)FB Brochure
The new Farm Biosecurity ‘secure your farm, secure your future’ brochure has just been printed and is now being distributed Australia-wide through our industry and government networks. Keep an eye out for it!
The brochure was created in response to demand from members and producers. It emphasises how sound biosecurity practices can protect farms from pests and diseases, and ensure continued market access for Australian produce.
In line with the program key messages, the brochure highlights some simple things that can be done to protect against diseases, pests and weeds. It asks people to think about five key risks areas in relation to their own enterprises and consider which biosecurity measures might be applicable to their situation. The risk areas are:
- Product movement
- People movement
- Vehicles and equipment
- Feed and water
- Pests and weeds
Please feel free to contact us to arrange delivery of extra copies… call Animal Health Australia on 02 6232 5522.
Delegates - Zensho Group
Two Zensho Group representatives recently visited AHA to learn about the programs and initiatives, run on behalf of members, to support food safety and Australia’s national animal health system. The Zensho Group is a large commercial enterprise involved with the management of 4,000 food service chain restaurants and development of sales systems and food processing systems in Japan. The group is strongly focused on food safety and Company Director Makoto Hirano and Manager, Food Safety Information Department Takeshi Hirayama said they were very impressed with the programs and processes implemented in Australia to protect food safety.
Staff Profile
Emma Rooke
Role at Animal Health Australia
Executive Officer
What would you like to achieve this coming year at AHA?
I would like to look back at this year and know that I have made a useful contribution to Animal Health in Australia and that members get value from the work that I do. It would be nice to get closer to resolution on a couple of difficult issues that have been outstanding for some time.
Employment history
I practiced as a veterinary surgeon in mixed and small animal practice for 10 years in Australia and the UK. During that time I worked for the UK Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) both during the FMD outbreak in 2001 and as a veterinary inspector for export certification. More recently I worked for the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, firstly in Biosecurity Australia on import risk assessment to inform import policy and some work on export negotiations, then as Secretary for the Animal Health Committee.
I started work this year with Animal Health Australia where I will be providing support to the work of Mike Bond and Ian Denney, and program managers as required.
Specialisation
I completed the membership examinations for the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in epidemiology last year and am studying a Masters of Veterinary Public Health Management at Sydney University. There are so many interesting opportunities in veterinary public health I don’t know that I’ll ever specialise as such but just keep learning and improving my understanding.
Areas of interest
I’ve always been fascinated by the wide range of relationships people have with their animals and how the health (including mental health and welfare) of each is so closely linked with that of the other. Consequently, while in clinical practice, I developed an interest in clinical animal behaviour and community education. This led me to a broader understanding of veterinary public health, an interest in the interface between animal health and human health and the use of education and policy instruments to get better outcomes for both.
Life outside of work
During the university semester, life outside work is spent largely at my desk! I enjoy riding my motorbike which is an acceptable substitute for the costs and time involved in owning a horse. One of my favourite ‘reset’ activities is listening to live music – in fact I’ve just had a great weekend at Womadelaide – and of course I enjoy good food and wine, spending time with friends, travel, the outdoors, reading for pleasure – all the stuff that makes life pleasant.
Favourite holiday destination
Too hard! I love to travel both within Australia and overseas. I am fortunate to have visited some amazing places and meet so many wonderful people. The more I travel, the more I realise that we are the same. We all have the same needs and aspirations – good food and safe water, freedom from fear, a good future for our children and someone to share your favourite vice at the end of a day’s work...