CONTENTS TSE Freedom Assurance Program What is a TSE? The History of Australia's TSE Measures National TSE Surveillance Program Australian Ruminant Feed Ban Imported Animal Quarantine and Surveillance Research and Development Training Emergency Preparedness Links

Welcome to the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) Freedom Assurance Program home page. Below is a brief description of the program including its aims and objectives. If you would like to view more information about TSE's or an outline of the specfic projects within the TSEFAP, please click on the links to the right of this page.

Program Background

Prior to TSEFAP, the many animal TSE risk minimisation measures in Australia were managed and funded in different ways. TSEFAP integrates all TSE measures into one national program with clear and nationally integrated operational components and a transparent funding framework.

At the 2003 National FMD/BSE Policy Forum it was agreed that a national TSE Freedom Assurance Program be developed with the following operational components:

1. Targeted TSE surveillance (National Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Surveillance Program);

2. Ruminant feeding restrictions, including audit, feed sampling and testing;

3. Imported animal quarantine and surveillance scheme - this includes all industry funded tracing schemes and the quarantine of all susceptible animals (zoo and cattle) imported from countries that have later experienced TSEs;

4. Communications, including the production of advisory material for industry etc;

5. Research and development, including validation, adoption and technology transfer of diagnostic tests.

It was also proposed that development and management of the program should be the responsibility of Animal Health Australia.

Purpose

The purpose of the TSE Freedom Assurance Program is to:

'enhance market confidence that Australian animals and animal products are free from TSEs through the structured and nationally integrated management of animal-related TSE activities'

Objectives

The purpose of the program will be served by meeting the following objectives:

1. To carry out sufficient surveillance to meet international requirements and assure trading partners, markets and consumers that Australian animals and animal products are free of TSEs and to ensure the early detection of a TSE (should it occur);

2. To demonstrate that no restricted animal material is fed to ruminants;

3. To manage the risks posed by animals imported from countries that have had cases of TSE;

4. To provide a nationally coordinated approach to TSE-related research and development;

5. To communicate Australia's favourable status for TSEs consistently and efficiently;

6. To ensure Australia is adequately prepared to address any TSE case, should it occur;

7. To identify emerging TSE-related issues and provide a framework for their management, if required;

8. To provide a forum to involve all stakeholders in addressing animal-related TSE issues; and

9. To increase the efficiency and consistency of management of animal-related TSE activities.

Scope

The initial activities to be addressed by the TSEFAP fall into six project areas:

Operational components

1. Surveillance (the NTSESP and any other required surveillance);

2. Ruminant feeding restrictions;

3. Imported animal surveillance (including zoo animals) and 'buy-back' schemes for imported cattle;

4. Research and development

Support components

5. Management and coordination;

6. Communication.

Other activities can be added to the TSEFAP, as required. However, additional activities will only be included in the TSEFAP after agreement by stakeholders to adequately resource the activity. All relevant stakeholders will be invited to participate in the program via a national advisory committee with Animal Health Australia managing the program. Each activity will be addressed as a separate project, with clearly defined resource requirements and the entire program will be formally reviewed after three years of operation.

Stakeholders

In developing the TSEFAP Business Plan, the following organisations are considered to be the major stakeholders and are involved in the development of this program. These stakeholders will also be required to have some involvement with the operations of the TSEFAP

Operating Arrangements

The TSE Freedom Assurance Program is run as a special program by Animal Health Australia (AHA). In order to streamline the operations, two committees were formed; these being the National Advisory Committee and the National Technical Committee. A full time program manager has been appointed to the TSE Freedom Assurance Program.

National Advisory Committee

To deliver the objective of "providing a forum to involve all stakeholders in addressing animal-related TSE issues", stakeholders have been invited to be represented on a National Advisory Committee (NAC). This committee will provide the opportunity for parties to input into the program. The committee's terms of reference include; consideration of the issues relating to the program, consideration of the inclusion of emerging TSE issues within the TSEFAP, referral of issues to appropriate working groups and negotiate program arrangements.

To view the committee's Terms of Reference click here.

National Technical Committee

Given the technical nature of TSEs, progressing specific activities or issues often requires consideration of the technical aspects, a subordinate committee is required to provide appropriate technical input. The terms of reference include; making recommendations based on scientific knowledge, reviewing preparedness for an incursion of TSEs should it occur, identifying technical issues that may require further consideration through ad hoc working groups and overseeing the implementation and operations of relevant activities.

The membership of this committee will be dynamic, depending on the particular issue. For efficiency, it is anticipated that each jurisdiction will nominate a single representative to participate in this committee.

To view the committee's Terms of Reference click here.

To enter the TSEFAP Committee Extranet click here.

Page Updated: 5 June 2008