Emergency Disease Preparedness

Primary Industries and Resources South Australia (PIRSA) is responsible for emergency animal disease preparedness within South Australia.

Three main areas of activity

Planning

All planning is done under the auspices of the Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan, AUSVETPLAN. Animal Health Australia maintains the documents on AUSVETPLAN on its web site.

PIRSA produces a South Australian Action Plan detailing procedures by PIRSA in the event of an animal disease emergency and a sub-plan that details procedures by supporting agencies.

Training

Competency standards and a training framework have recently been developed for all persons likely to be involved in an animal disease emergency. The ongoing task of assessing competencies commenced in 1999.

Extension

Protect Australian Livestock Week is held annually each March. The event is coordinated by the Animal Health Australia. Information on emergency animal diseases and their potential devastating consequences is distributed through a variety of media to targeted audiences.

All opportunities are taken to promote public awareness of emergency animal diseases.

Contact

Neil Buchanan
Manager, Animal Health Operations
email: buchanan.neil@saugov.sa.gov.au

Phone: 08 8207 7908
Mobile: 0417 895 062
Fax: 08 8207 7852

Postal: PIRSA Animal Health, GPO Box 1671, ADELAIDE SA 5001.