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Abstract
This paper summarises Australia’s contributions
to the global animal disease control effort,
from the perspective of the Department of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – Australia
(AFFA). AFFA’s objectives in the context of
animal health and welfare, and veterinary public
health, include minimising the impact of
pests, diseases and contaminants, managing
emergencies, facilitating the development of
national policies and strategies, and advancing
Australia’s trade interests. A result of such
objectives has been the establishment of a
strong international program within AFFA. The
program has the advantages of collaboration
with other countries on animal health matters,
including that of aquatic animals, as well as
progressing Australia’s trading interests.
At a ‘global level’ Australia is active in multilateral
standards and policy-setting organisations
such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation
(FAO) and the World Organisation
for Animal Health (OIE). These activities indirectly
assist developing countries in numerous
ways, including by promulgating standards
that provide guidance in designing and implementing
domestic animal health standards.
Australia’s contributions are also made at a
regional level, with direct and obvious benefits
for developing countries such as information
exchange, technology transfer, training and
support. Examples include Australia’s leadership
in initiatives such as the OIE Regional
Commission for Asia, the Far East and Oceania,
the South East Asia foot-and-mouth disease
(SEAFMD) campaign, and the Network
of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific
(NACA). Involvement in the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) forum technical
working groups relating to animal and plant
health has also had benefits through APEC
harmonisation initiatives.
Contributions may also be through direct, bilateral
assistance and collaboration, with similar
benefits. There are many examples of such bilateral activities, such as emergency management
training in Indonesia and foot-andmouth
disease projects with China, Thailand
and Indonesia. Examples and case studies
are provided in the paper to illustrate these
direct and indirect contributions and benefits.