The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) has welcomed the government’s announcement of increased funding for disease surveillance as part of a $137.8 million investment in biosecurity.
AVA President Paula Parker, said general disease surveillance is important to maintain Australia’s favourable animal health status and for the early detection of animal disease outbreaks.
“Emergency animal diseases are a significant threat to animal industries and we look forward to seeing greater use of private veterinary practitioners to support animal disease surveillance and investigation to protect animal industries and public health,”
“As towns and suburbs expand further into farming regions and bushland, we are living closer and closer to animals and impinging on their habitats. The risk of disease spread, both to and from animals, has never been greater, and we have seen this with emerging diseases such as Hendra and Lyssa viruses,” Parker said.
“This is an asset that the government must protect. Every dollar spent on prevention and preparedness protects against potential billions in losses … the role of veterinarians is critical to effective disease surveillance and response capabilities,”
“We look forward to the government implementing these initiatives,” Parker said.