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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 4 Hansard (11 April) . . Page.. 1028 ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

creating cures for some of the most debilitating diseases present in the community. Even the possibility of cure is argument enough for this research to be undertaken.

A foot and mouth disease task force was established by COAG in June 2001. The role of the task force was to coordinate a review of national whole of government frameworks for the prevention of, preparedness for and management of, a major animal emergency disease outbreak. The lesson learnt from the United Kingdom experience was that to deal effectively with such an outbreak requires central agency leadership, coordination and cooperation of all levels of government.

The task force comprises representatives of each jurisdiction's first minister and agriculture departments. Since June 2001, the task force has prepared a number of recommendations in relation to adequate prevention, preparedness and response capability to mitigate the extensive social and economic impact that an outbreak of either foot and mouth disease or bovine spongiform encephalopathy-mad cow disease-would have on Australia.

Members of the Assembly will recall that on 19 March 2002, my government signed the government and livestock industry cost-sharing deed in respect of emergency animal disease responses. This deed will provide some assistance for the ACT in meeting the costs of an outbreak. Sharing of costs is subject to review, once the costs of controlling the disease outbreak reach 1 per cent of the gross value of production of the affected industry.

The council agreed that major animal emergencies, and their consequences, must be tackled on a national basis. It agreed a national coordination framework to ensure close integration of responsibilities and actions within and across jurisdictions, building on existing animal disease and emergency management plans. It agreed that further work is required to improve national prevention, preparedness and response capability. This activity has been coordinated through the Primary Industries Ministerial Council.

The council considers it important for industry to continue to develop and implement, as soon as possible, industry-wide and farm-level measures to reduce the likelihood of disease establishment, rate and extent of spread and impact. It agreed that a full-scale national simulation is to be held in September 2002 to test peak-level arrangements across and within jurisdictions, and emergency roles and linkages across all relevant agencies. It also agreed that a further report be submitted to the council by December 2002.

The ACT has a relatively small livestock holding, no large concentrations of stocks such as feedlots, and an uncomplicated system of government, which makes coordination relatively easy. However, a local exotic disease outbreak, including foot and mouth disease, would almost certainly cross the ACT-New South Wales border. Discussions are under way to prepare an MOU between the ACT and New South Wales, to ensure that border issues do not impact on the control of the disease.

Following the Prime Minister's announcement in October 2002 of a national action plan, COAG endorsed, on 3 November 2000, the plan for salinity and water quality. The plan was the basis for developing an overarching intergovernmental agreement, supported by jurisdiction-specific bilateral agreements.

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