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Australian Government Responsibilities
The animal health role of the Commonwealth Government is delivered through the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer (OCVO) and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) which are both located within the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). Diagnostic services, exotic and emergency disease support, and independent scientific advice are provided by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).
The Commonwealth Government is the largest single employer of veterinarians in Australia because of the large number employed in the meat inspection service. It is therefore able to provide an important reserve force to the States and Territories in the event of any major exotic animal disease incursion.
The Australian Chief Veterinary Officer
The OCVO provides a coordinated national approach to issues related to animal health and welfare and protection, and residues and food safety that affect Australian agriculture, fisheries and forestry.
The Australian CVO, is Australia’s principal representative on animal health matters nationally and internationally, including its permanent representative to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). The OCVO provides an international reference point on animal health and manages Australia’s commitments to OIE and other international agencies dealing with animal health.
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service
AQIS is responsible for export health certification and regulation of the importation of animals and plants, their genetic material and their products. The veterinary functions of AQIS include responsibility for:
- veterinary public health inspection of meat through a national inspection service
- animal quarantine involving imports of live animals and animal products, and
- health certification of exports of live animals and animal reproductive material.
Although the Commonwealth Government has responsibility for formulating policy and ultimate responsibility for quarantine under the Australian Constitution, the states and territories may act as operational field agents of the Commonwealth to assist the delivery of quarantine and export certification services. Under the provisions of the Accreditation Program for Australian Veterinarians, AQIS-accredited veterinarians also play an important role in delivery of export certification services. Further information is available at the AQIS website.
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
CSIRO undertakes animal health research and operates the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) at Geelong. This is a high security laboratory for emergency animal disease diagnosis and research. It provides training in emergency animal diseases for Australia’s and overseas animal health field and laboratory staff. AAHL is an OIE Collaborating Centre for New and Emerging Diseases and a designated OIE and/or national reference laboratory for bluetongue, avian influenza, Newcastle disease, Hendra and Nipah virus diseases, yellowhead disease, epizootic haematopoietic necrosis, brucellosis and rabies. Further information on CSIRO and AAHL is available at the CSIRO website.