In response to requests from Company Members and in recognition that Australia's national surveillance system needs to be prepared to meet future demands, Animal Health Australia is embarking on the development of a National Surveillance Strategy for animal health.

The Strategy will be developed in consultation with Members and broader stakeholders to enhance the National Animal Health Surveillance System through the identification and agreement of System priorities.

To date, enhancements to the National Surveillance System have been addressed in an adhoc way, lacking national coordination. A National Strategy will carefully consider future requirements and seek agreement to address these requirements.

The current environment is also conducive to the development of a National Surveillance Strategy as stakeholders in the Animal Health System have recently agreed to the National Animal Health Strategy, which identifies the need for a surveillance strategy as a priority.

The objectives of the National Surveillance Strategy are to:

• Define the national surveillance system;
• Identify future requirements of the system;
• Establish a framework for delivery of future requirements;
• Adopt a nationally consistent approach to surveillance across Australia;
• Involve a broader range of stakeholders in national animal health surveillance;
• Identify priority areas requiring enhancement through the application of research resources.