❓ Dr. Pettitt raises concerns about a potential avian influenza outbreak in WA and its impact on wildlife and poultry. The Minister confirms awareness and outlines DPIRD's preparedness and coordination efforts with other agencies.
AnsweredQoN 305Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
BIRD FLU — GOVERNMENT STRATEGY
305. Hon Dr BRAD PETTITT to the Minister for Agriculture and
Food:
I refer to the current strain of
avian influenza H5Nx clade 2.3.4.4b that is decimating seabird colonies, along
with sea lion and dolphin populations, around the world.
(1) Is the
minister aware of stakeholder concern for a potential outbreak in Western Australia
that could gravely affect little penguin, black swan and sea lion populations,
and spread to poultry farms, potentially decimating industry?
(2) What is
the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development doing to plan for
a potential outbreak in Western Australia?
(3) Is DPIRD
coordinating with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
to ensure plans are in place to protect little penguin, black swan and sea lion
populations in Western Australian in case of a potential outbreak?
(4) If no to (1),
(2) or (3), why not?
305. Hon Dr BRAD PETTITT to the Minister for Agriculture and
Food:
I refer to the current strain of
avian influenza H5Nx clade 2.3.4.4b that is decimating seabird colonies, along
with sea lion and dolphin populations, around the world.
(1) Is the
minister aware of stakeholder concern for a potential outbreak in Western Australia
that could gravely affect little penguin, black swan and sea lion populations,
and spread to poultry farms, potentially decimating industry?
(2) What is
the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development doing to plan for
a potential outbreak in Western Australia?
(3) Is DPIRD
coordinating with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
to ensure plans are in place to protect little penguin, black swan and sea lion
populations in Western Australian in case of a potential outbreak?
(4) If no to (1),
(2) or (3), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) Yes.
(2) The
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has robust plans in
place to respond to exotic disease outbreaks and regularly engages with state
and national partners to review and revise preparedness and response
arrangements for the highly pathogenic avian influenza. The avian influenza AUSTVETPLAN manual, which describes how Australia
will respond to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, was
reviewed in 2022 and is now being updated to consider the effects of new
strains of avian influenza on both wildlife and poultry industries. DPIRD is
closely engaged in this work.
(3) Yes. DPIRD chairs the Western Australia Wildlife
Health Reference Group, which facilitates a coordinated cross-agency
approach to wildlife health surveillance and responses to wildlife disease
events in the state. It has a representative from DBCA, other government
agencies, Murdoch University, Wildlife Health Australia, Perth Zoo and WA
Wildlife. Recent meetings have devoted significant time to the discussion of
issues surrounding highly pathogenic avian influenza in wildlife.
(4) Not
applicable.
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) Yes.
(2) The
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has robust plans in
place to respond to exotic disease outbreaks and regularly engages with state
and national partners to review and revise preparedness and response
arrangements for the highly pathogenic avian influenza. The avian influenza AUSTVETPLAN manual, which describes how Australia
will respond to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, was
reviewed in 2022 and is now being updated to consider the effects of new
strains of avian influenza on both wildlife and poultry industries. DPIRD is
closely engaged in this work.
(3) Yes. DPIRD chairs the Western Australia Wildlife
Health Reference Group, which facilitates a coordinated cross-agency
approach to wildlife health surveillance and responses to wildlife disease
events in the state. It has a representative from DBCA, other government
agencies, Murdoch University, Wildlife Health Australia, Perth Zoo and WA
Wildlife. Recent meetings have devoted significant time to the discussion of
issues surrounding highly pathogenic avian influenza in wildlife.
(4) Not
applicable.
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