practitioners with the knowledge and tools to be confident about considering EADs as differential diagnoses and taking appropriate action build networks between EAD response agencies and the private sector. Private veterinary practitioners play an essential role in the detection of potential EADs. Training opportunities such as this workshop provide a valuable tool in building skills and awareness within the veterinary profession. The workshop was sponsored by DEDJTR and supported by the CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory (CSIRO-AAHL). Foot-and-mouth disease training in Nepal During 2015, two DEDJTR animal health staff travelled to Nepal to participate in ‘real- time’ FMD training, hosted by the European Commission for the Control of Disease (EuFMD), a commission of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The training provided experience in clinical investigation, sampling and laboratory diagnosis of FMD, and epidemiological assessment of disease spread and control. FMD poses the largest, most economically devastating threat to Australia’s livestock industries. In 2013, the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences estimated that an outbreak in Australia could cost the economy up to $50 billion over 10 years. The Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources is working with the EuFMD to build a network of veterinarians, animal health professionals, producers and industry workers across Australia with experience in the disease, to increase the likelihood of early detection should an incursion occur, as well as enhance Australia’s response capability. Victorian emergency animal welfare plan An important and growing area of animal welfare policy relates to animals in emergencies. In 2015, DEDJTR led the review of the Victorian emergency animal welfare plan. This was the plan’s review since it was created in 2011. The review included aligning the plan with the Emergency management manual Victoria and the revised Victorian emergency framework. DEDJTR contributed to developing and reviewing extension materials relating to animals in emergencies and hot weather, including media releases and social media messaging consistent with that of other state and territory emergency agencies. DEDJTR manages a database of nongovernment organisations with capabilities and resources to assist in an emergency
in August 2015. It was very thin, displayed marked ataxia, and was euthanased. Histopathology indicated severe chronic nonsuppurative necrotising panencephalitis. Avian influenza virus, West Nile virus and avian paramyxovirus 1 were excluded by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing at CSIRO-AAHL. There was no evidence of flaviviruses (Japanese encephalitis serogroup) based on immunohistochemistry, and virus isolation was negative. During the previous 12 years, six cases of nonsuppurative encephalitis in Australian magpies (Cracticus tibicen) have been reported in Victoria. The are usually juveniles in very poor body condition and have multiple parasitic infections. In two of these cases, low numbers of organisms presumed to be protozoa were present within sections of brain; in one of these cases, filarial organisms were also present within capillaries. Increase in incidence of equine strangles During 2015, DEDJTR was alerted to an increase in reported cases of strangles (Streptococcus equi subsp. equi) in horses. Strangles is a notifiable disease in Victoria under the Livestock Disease Control Act 1994. The requirement to notify ensures that EADs with similar clinical signs, such as equine influenza, can be excluded. DEDJTR received reports of 46 cases of strangles (from 40 properties) between January and December 2015, 33 of which were confirmed by laboratory testing. Figure 3.3 the number of cases of strangles reported during 2011-15. Figure 3.4 indicates the spatial distribution of cases between 2013 and 2015. Investigations demonstrated that a number of cases were associated with the rescue and agistment of horses acquired through saleyard auctions. Consistent with DEDJTR policy, no regulatory action was taken but, because strangles is highly contagious, DEDJTR field staff provided advice to the notifying veterinarians and/or property owners, as well as contacting relevant equine organisations to advise them of the situation.
Table 5.2 Compliance activities conducted under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, 2015 Legislated compliance Compliance activity Audit council-registered animal pounds 5 audits conducted Investigate complaints about operation of council pounds and animal shelters 3 investigations completed Register and audit council domestic animal businesses 1 business audited and registered License animal registry services 7 animal registry services licensed animal registry services 1 animal registry service audited for renewal of licence Audit authorised microchip implanters Nil Investigate noncompliance with microchip implantation 1 investigation completed Another compliance officer provides legislative advice and assistance to government authorised officers who implement and enforce the Domestic Animals Act 1994 and supporting Regulations. Animals used in research and teaching DEDJTR’s regulatory framework to promote the welfare of animals used for research and teaching in Victoria includes licensing, enforcement, education and advisory programs. At December 2015, there were 194 animal research (scientific procedures) licences. On average, around 1–1.5 million animals are used in Victoria each year, with a further 1 million used for breeding. DEDJTR officers conducted 15 routine licence audits and 9 new premises inspections in 2015. Staff delivered 10 educational presentations for licence holders, their Animal Ethics Committee members and researchers. DEDJTR held three training sessions for Animal Ethics Committee members at Attwood. Staff received three formal complaints about the educational or scientific use of animals and conducted three formal investigations. Noncompliance was found in one case, and a warning was issued. The public-access Wildlife and Small Institutions Animal Ethics Committee continued to review animal use in projects for external clients, in accordance with legislation. During 2015, the committee assessed 29 projects.
and Glasser’s disease. Veterinarians and producers can use serotyping technologies for E. coli when selecting the appropriate vaccines for disease control on their properties. PSC can also perform antimicrobial sensitivity studies on bacterial isolates to determine which antibiotics will most effectively control disease outbreaks. 7.3 Vaccine production The PSC has an established vaccine production laboratory, with good manufacturing practice (GMP) accreditation provided by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. The centre produces autogenous (farm- specific) vaccines that are not available ‘off the shelf’, to help control endemic diseases of pigs and poultry. Some of the vaccines produced for pigs are against pleuropneumonia, Glasser’s disease and greasy pig disease (Staphylococcus hyicus). The main poultry vaccine produced at the centre targets Salmonella species. Training Under the Livestock Management Act 1994, anyone owning pigs must be ‘suitably qualified’. To meet this requirement, piggery workers must be competent in the Pork Industry Skill Set or must hold a Certificate III in Agriculture (Pig Production). The PSC is a major provider of this training to the Victorian industry. Technical support and advice The PSC provides specialist advice to veterinarians and producers, who have varying degrees of knowledge and experience in dealing with pigs. The centre provides advice to veterinary practitioners, particularly those with limited pig experience, to enable them to better support their clients who own pigs. PSC staff provide advice on pig diseases; when appropriate, they also provide on-the-ground support, including necropsies and diagnostic testing. The centre advises on appropriate sample collection and laboratory testing, according to the history and clinical presentation of disease. at the centre assist pig producers by providing services relating to pig health, biosecurity, disease recognition, pig husbandry and welfare. The centre supports smaller-scale and hobby producers, particularly those just entering the industry. Staff provide information about obtaining a Property Identification Code, tattoo branding, biosecurity considerations, pig welfare and the advantages of joining the Australian Pork Industry Quality Assurance Program. Applied research and development The PSC further supports the pig industry by conducting research to evaluate husbandry techniques, and veterinary chemical and biological products. It works in partnership with universities and other bodies on research and development projects of benefit to the industry.
relating to mortalities that have an unusual presentation or occur on a large scale on farms. A limited number of investigations of this nature were undertaken in 2015; usually the diagnosis remained open, or water quality issues were implicated. Translocation protocols control movements of fish and other species of aquatic animals onto and off farms and waterways. The stringent requirements applying to some species in some circumstances may include veterinary certification and testing, which reduce the risk of endemic disease transfer. Research and development collaborations During 2015, DEDJTR entered into a contract with the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) as lead organisation in a project on bonamiasis in native oysters. This is a national collaboration, with co- investigators located at CSIRO (Portarlington) and in South Australia. The project operates from 2015 to August 2017. The FRDC is providing $395 000 in funding for the research. The intracellular parasite Bonamia sp. is a very small protozoan parasite that infects oysters and, in sufficient numbers, kills the host. It has been responsible for the downturn of the European oyster industry since the 1970s and has been recorded in many countries, including New Zealand and Australia. In the 1990s, Victorian farmers began trialling native oyster (Ostrea angasi) culture in Port Phillip and Western Port bays. Severe epizootics of Bonamia sp. resulted in the death of large numbers of both cultured and wild oysters, and so farming attempts were abandoned. In recent years, there has been a resurgence in interest in this highly prized oyster, with hopes to grow production to commercial levels. Unfortunately, testing by DEDJTR has shown evidence of the parasite in farmed oysters since 2011 (see Section 8.1.1). The objectives of this collaborative research project are to elucidate the species of Bonamia involved in Victoria and states, determine what potential stressors cause conversion from subclinical to clinical disease (with death of the oysters), and provide practical advice to farmers on how to avoid oyster losses, given that the parasite seems to endemically infect farmed oysters and there is no treatment.
Victoria's Sheep Meat and Wool Industry The following information is derived from the DEDJTR’s Sheep meat and wool industry profile. For further information and references, please go to food-and-fibre-industries. Key points The sheepmeat and wool industry is Victoria’s third largest agricultural industry by value, with a gross value of agricultural production of around $1497 million in 2012–13. The gross values of sheepmeat and wool production were $923 million and $574 million, respectively. Victorian and lamb numbers fell marginally, by 1.3% to 15.7 million in 2013–14, after increasing by 10.4% in the previous two years. Despite these recent increases, the current sheep population is one of the smallest since the 1940s. Victorian wool production has been in long-term decline since the early 1990s, falling from 190 600 t in 1990–91 to 70 500 t in 2013–14. In contrast, Victorian sheepmeat (lamb and mutton) production increased by approximately 60% over the same period. Victoria is currently Australia’s largest lamb and mutton producing state, producing 207 100 t of lamb – 44% of Australian lamb production – in 2012–13. Australia exported 438 000 t of sheepmeat in 2013–14, worth $2308 million. Victoria exported around 184 000 t of sheepmeat in 2013–14, worth $898 million. Despite the long-term decline in Victoria’s wool production, wool exports from Victoria increased in value from $883 million in 2009–10 to $1315 million in 2013–14, a rise of almost 50%. Location of Victoria’s sheepmeat and wool industry Sheepmeat and wool production occurs across all regions of Victoria but is concentrated in the north-west region (32% of the flock), the Warrnambool and south-west regions (28%), Hume (9%) and Bendigo (8%) (Figure A4). Figure A4. The distribution and numbers of sheep in Victoria
include industry marketing and education campaigns that changed consumer perceptions of the health aspects of eggs (including effects on cholesterol levels), the versatility and ease of preparation of eggs, and use of eggs as a cheap alternative to meat sources of protein. has also been increased differentiation in the shell egg products available to consumers. For example, new value-added products, such as omega-rich and organic eggs, have been developed. However, the key change over the past decade has been the increasing influence of production methods in the decision making of consumers. Although price remains the key influence (with caged eggs the cheapest), barn-laid and particularly free-range eggs have increased their share of the market in response to consumer perceptions of, and attitudes towards, animal welfare. eggs make up around 54% of sales in the supermarket sector, barn laid 8%, free range 37% and organic 1%. The increasing desire for choice from consumers has opened up new opportunities for growers and egg companies to be innovative and to differentiate their products. These opportunities are more pronounced in the shell egg market than in most other food products. In 2013–14, Victoria exported less than 500 t of eggs, worth $2 million. Prices The indexed price from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) suggests that egg prices have tended to increase in real terms since around 2000–01 and are now above prices received in the late 1990s. Employment In 2010–11, around 1520 people were employed on poultry farms in Victoria, and around 2660 were employed to manufacture poultry products. The 1520 people employed in poultry production comprised 370 in the poultry meat industry, 733 in the poultry egg industry and 417 for whom the information does not distinguish between egg and meat production.
PART C – Diseases of fish (Notify within 12 hours – for diseases shown in bold type - or 7 days) FINFISH Aeromonas salmonicida - atypical strains Epizootic haematopoietic necrosis – EHN virus Epizootic ulcerative syndrome (Aphanomyces invadans) AMPHIBIANS Chytridiomycosis – Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Ranavirus MOLLUSCS Bonamiosis (Bonamia species)
NLIS National Livestock Identification System NVD National Vendor Declaration OB brucellosis OIE World Organisation for Animal Health OJD Johne’s disease PCR polymerase chain reaction PIC Property Identification Code Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Act, Regulations, Code) PSC Pig Services Centre RSPCA Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals SQRT Quarantine Response Team TSE transmissible spongiform encephalopathy TSEFAP Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Freedom Assurance Program