Australia launches first national action plan for livestock health

Australia has released the National Action Plan for Production Animal Health (Animalplan 2022 to 2027) to provide a strategic approach to improving Australia’s animal health system over the next 5 years.

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Murray Watt said “The plans will strengthen the systems that support our animal and aquatic industries. This will be achieved through emergency animal diseases preparedness, on-farm biosecurity systems, strong diagnosis and surveillance capabilities, minimal on-farm antimicrobial usage, sustainable industry practices and effective traceability systems."

The seven objectives of the plan are:

1. Improve Australia’s preparedness and ability to respond to emergency animal diseases (EADs).
2. Improve Australia’s surveillance and diagnostic capacity for animal pests and diseases.
3. Improve the adoption and implementation of biosecurity practices throughout the terrestrial animal industry supply chain.
4. Manage the risk of antimicrobial resistance.
5. Improve animal welfare outcomes relevant to emergency scenarios.
6. Implement industry sustainability frameworks and plans.
7. Improve the integrity of animal health systems.