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Committees that deal with Aquatic Animal Health
Australia's aquatic animal health management policies and program implementation is overseen by consultative and ministerial committees.
Each committee feeds into the next from the operational (industry) level through technical (scientific) to the state and territory and federal ministerial (endorsement) levels.
The roles of the various committees that work together to deal with issues of aquatic animal health management are detailed below.
The Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC) – comprises state and territory primary industries ministers and is chaired by the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. PIMC considers agricultural issues of national importance.
The Primary Industries Standing Committee (PISC) – is the standing committee to PIMC and manages the work of PIMC. It comprises the CEOs of state and territory and Australian Government departments of agriculture, and representatives from New Zealand and the CSIRO.
The Primary Industries Health Committee (PIHC) – previously, PIHC had a dual role in managing PISC’s agenda on health issues and provided direction to its supporting committees. It is expected that from 1 July 2008, the new National Biosecurity Committee (NBC) will become the new advisory committee to the Primary Industries Standing Committee (PISC) and the Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC) - replacing the Primary Industries Health Committee.
All primary industries health issues, including environmental and animal and plant biosecurity issues, will be scrutinised by the new NBC prior to submission to PISC and PIMC.
The Aquatic Animal Health Committee (AAHC) – is the primary industry/government interface for policy, communication and awareness related to aquatic animal health issues. AAHC members represent the Australian, state and Northern Territory government departments with responsibility for aquatic animal health; the CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory; the capture and recreational fishing industries; the finfish, mollusc, and crustacean aquaculture industries; and the ornamental fish industry. AAHC reports to PISC through PIHC.
The National Aquatic Animal Health – Technical Working Group (NAAH-TWG) – provides scientific and technical advice to the AAHC. NAAH-TWG members represent the Australian, state and Northern Territory governments and the CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory. Other aquatic animal health experts from both government and non-government agencies - including specialists from academia, industry and the private sector - may also be invited to participate.
The Animal Health Committee (AHC) – provides scientific and technical advice on animal health issues to PISC via PIHC. Comprising Australian state and territory and New Zealand Chief Veterinary Officers and representation from CSIRO, Biosecurity Australia and Animal Health Australia, AHC drives and manages high level strategic policy development, operational strategies and standards for government in animal health, domestic quarantine, animal welfare and veterinary public health. AHC members also meet regularly to discuss issues of national importance.
The Sub Committee on Animal Health Laboratory Standards (SCAHLS) – facilitates the networking between government, CSIRO, private and university animal health laboratories and operates to establish, implement and monitor professional and technical standards within these laboratories. SCAHLS seeks to sustain and improve the quality of livestock (including aquatic) and livestock products and to assure market access through the application of best practice to veterinary laboratory services.
Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council (NRMMC) – consists of the Australian, state and territory, and New Zealand government ministers with responsibility for natural resources management policy issues.
Natural Resource Management Standing Committee (NRMSC) – comprises relevant heads/CEOs of Australian, state and territory, and New Zealand government agencies with responsibility for natural resources management policy issues.
Marine and Coastal Committee (MACC) – advises and supports the NRMSC (and PISC, as appropriate) on issues of national significance relating to the conservation and ecologically sustainable development of marine and coastal ecosystems and resources. They also provide an ongoing framework to consider issues related to sustainable industry development in the marine and coastal zone.
The Australian Fisheries Management Forum (AFMF) – comprises heads/CEOs of the Australian and state and territory government agencies responsible for fisheries. The AFMF discuss issues relating to fisheries management and with no formal link, also undertake work requested by the MACC.
Aquaculture Committee - is an informal committee formed to report to the AFMF and the MACC on aquaculture issues relevant to the Australian aquaculture industry. The Aquaculture Committee comprises aquaculture managers from the Australian and state and territory government fisheries agencies and scientific organisations.