Australian Government media release - 13 June 2008
Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke has released the report of the inquiry into last year's equine influenza outbreak.
Commissioner Callinan concluded that the virus ‘probably' came into Australia in August 2007, via horses from Japan. He was unable to make a precise finding as to how the virus entered the general horse population, or of direct liability or culpability, but found the virus was most likely carried on a contaminated person or equipment leaving Eastern Creek Quarantine Station.
While changes have been made to horse import systems since the outbreak, the Commissioner has highlighted serious and systemic failures in the system and the Government is acting urgently to fix these failures. Our most important action was to establish a comprehensive review of our quarantine and biosecurity systems - led by Roger Beale AO - which is well underway.
A number of the Commissioner's recommendations will be implemented immediately, including:
- Appoint a new Inspector General of Horse Importation, reporting to the Minister, to inspect and audit quarantine facilities for horses to be exported to Australia (both international and domestic);
- Make a senior officer of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry responsible for the importation of horses into Australia; and
- Improve operating procedures for the clearance and quarantine of horses.
Other recommendations to be implemented after further investigation include:
- Horses to be tested for equine influenza both before travelling to Australia and while still in quarantine after arrival;
- Review biosecurity policies for horses and carry out an import risk analysis;
- Reassess importation conditions for horses applied by AQIS;
- Review pre-export, airport and quarantine station facilities;
- Review fees charged for the export of horses to Australia, looking at the cost of quarantine, auditing and risk factors.
- To ensure that the Government's response is implemented in full, and without delay, the Government has appointed Professor Peter Shergold AC - former Secretary of the Prime Minister's Department - to oversee the process. He will report regularly to the Minister over the next two years.
According to preliminary estimates, it will cost around $1.3 million to implement those recommendations requiring immediate action.
The Government will consult with industry sectors in implementing the recommendations.
The outbreak of equine influenza had serious economic and social effects. So far, the Government has spent more than $342 million in eradicating the virus and in financial assistance to individuals, organisations and businesses.
The Federal Government has responded to each of the Commissioner's recommendations in detail.
