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Inquiry Details

Inquiry into Managing Animal and Plant Diseases

On 29 March 2006, the Committee resolved to conduct a follow-up inquiry on the Auditor-General’s reports, NSW Agriculture: Managing Animal Disease Emergencies and Implementing the Ovine Johne’s Disease Program as part of a wide-ranging inquiry into the management of animal and plant diseases. The Committee will investigate how well the government and industry are equipped to deal with emergency pest and disease situations. It will also investigate how well endemic diseases such as Ovine Johne’s Disease are managed. New South Wales has experienced minor occurrences of animal diseases in recent years, with significant localised impact. For example: · A virulent Newcastle disease outbreak at Mangrove Mountain (near Gosford) in 1999 resulted in the slaughter of almost 2 million poultry · Outbreaks of avian influenza at Tamworth in 1997 caused the quarantining of properties for up to six months. More recently Avian Influenza (‘Bird Flu’), and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) (Mad Cow Disease) have decimated overseas livestock industries. Responsibilities for management of animal diseases are shared between Commonwealth and state governments. The states are responsible for awareness of risks, farm biosecurity (eg introduction of animals, feed sources, water quality and screening of sheds) and surveillance of likely sources of disease. Although submissions were requested by Friday 12 May 2006, if you are still interested in making a submission, please contact the secretariat. Relevant Background Information. Information about the Department of Primary Industries can be forwarded: to www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

Resolution Passed 29 March 2006, Minute No.5. Inquiry Terms of Reference The Committee will examine: 1. Implementation of the reports’ recommendations and their relevance under current administrative arrangements. 2. The state’s preparedness to manage animal and plant disease emergencies, particularly with respect to: · Risk based planning and disease surveillance; · The effectiveness of immediate response mechanisms; · Intergovernmental cooperation and the state’s compliance with national standards; and · Cost sharing arrangements between industry and Government. 3. The effectiveness and efficiency of the management of endemic diseases, including the roles of government and industry. 4. Any other related matters.

Inquiry Terms of Reference The Committee will examine: 1. Implementation of the reports’ recommendations and their relevance under current administrative arrangements. 2. The state’s preparedness to manage animal and plant disease emergencies, particularly with respect to: · Risk based planning and disease surveillance; · The effectiveness of immediate response mechanisms; · Intergovernmental cooperation and the state’s compliance with national standards; and · Cost sharing arrangements between industry and Government. 3. The effectiveness and efficiency of the management of endemic diseases, including the roles of government and industry. 4. Any other related matters.


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