Avian Bird Flu

In reply to the Hon. T.A. FRANKS ().13 November 2024).

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries): I am advised:

PIRSA biosecurity staff have been actively engaging with the veterinary profession to raise awareness on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and about emergency preparedness activities in the different poultry sectors.

South Australia's preparedness and response activities to emergency animal diseases (EAD) are guided by the Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan (AUSVETPLAN) which provides Australia's nationally agreed approach to responding to emergency animal diseases (EADs) of national significance. AUSVETPLAN comprises response resources that support efficient, effective and coherent responses to emergency animal diseases.

PIRSA Animal Biosecurity actively participates in the development of AUSVETPLAN and was part of a national working group which recently completed a review of the AUSVETPLAN operational manual for humane destruction methods of various animal species that may be used in an emergency animal disease (EAD) response. The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) was actively involved in the review which included various destruction options for use in poultry.

PIRSA staff are members of the Australasian Veterinary Poultry Association (AVPA) and attended the AVPA scientific meeting in May 2024 where biosecurity, EAD risks and plans were covered. The AVPA has drafted consensus policy for poultry destruction in case of an EAD incursion. Animal Biosecurity is a member of the Poultry Health Liaison Group which has covered EAD preparedness activities within the state.

As part of EAD preparedness, Animal Biosecurity has developed a private vet practitioner engagement strategy which has included a webinar on HPAI which covered:

HPAI overview and update,

laboratory sampling techniques,

reporting and working with PIRSA,

biosecurity practices for clinics and

introduction to emergency response.

Sixty-one veterinarians and vet clinic staff interacted with the webinar event.

PIRSA biosecurity staff also presented on overview of equipment for destruction and disposal of poultry to about 40 veterinarians and vet clinic staff at a veterinary roadshow at Robe.

Information sharing is a key part of engaging private veterinarians through the Veterinary Surgeons Boards of South Australia (VSBSA) and via a dedicated PIRSA mailbox.