A new Chairman and a new year

In November 2011, Mr Peter Milne became Animal Health Australia’s third Chairman.  At the beginning of his term and at the start of a new year, our new Chairman has outlined a few of his priorities for the company and the national animal health system.

“The issues I want to drive as AHA Chairman flow from the company’s agreed strategic priorities, the recent Matthews report on Australia’s preparedness for the threat of foot and mouth disease, and to an extent, the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity (IGAB) recently signed by most states and the Commonwealth.

“The EADRA is the major basis for preparedness for and response to emergency animal disease in this country and Animal Health Australia is very much the custodian of the agreement. The company has responsibility for many areas fundamental to the agreement eg. training and AUSVETPLAN.

“While acknowledging the strengths of our biosecurity system generally, the Matthews report highlighted some serious concerns about Australia’s ability to deal with a foot and mouth disease incident. I strongly support AHA working with the Australian government to respond to the Matthews’ recommendations to ensure any incident with foot and mouth disease, the highest impact disease risk we face, is able to be dealt with in an effective manner.

“While we operate in a federation, we are only as good as our weakest link in the biosecurity space and I strongly support a move towards a more national approach to enhance biosecurity coordination.   The work of Australian governments in developing the IGAB seems to be heading in that direction. I believe AHA, with its track record of achieving progress through government and industry partnerships,  is well positioned to manage and coordinate complementary activities in the post border animal biosecurity area to enhance biosecurity overall.

“Governments and industry alike are contemplating smarter and more efficient ways of operating in the animal health area, but there is concern  the current level of funding is inadequate and the emerging biosecurity risks are simply too great for any of our members to accept.  This is a most difficult problem to address, with continuing global uncertainty, governments facing a range of other priorities, and industry not necessarily keen to step into the void.  With cooperation of the company and its members, I will continue to seek answers to resolve this critical issue. ”

Mr Milne and Dr Mike Bond, Chief Executive Officer, will be meeting with members throughout the year to discuss member issues and priorities.

January 2012