Page 1562 - Week 05 - Thursday, 7 April 2005
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period. This control can be used, for example, on the diagnosis of foot-and-mouth disease anywhere in Australia or as a precautionary measure if a foot-and-mouth disease infection is strongly suspected. It would reduce the vectors of transmission of the disease while the source and likely areas of infection are identified.
The bill will also provide for the prevention and control of exotic and endemic diseases by installing appropriate disease management practices. A declaration can be made to declare a stated area to be an exotic disease quarantine area if there are reasonable grounds to believe that an animal is infected with an exotic disease, and to prevent the spread of disease.
Directions can be given to a stock owner to enable control of an exotic disease. An exotic disease such as mad cow disease, which can also spread to humans, needs to be controlled immediately. It is vital that control action be initiated at the earliest possible moment. Hours can mean the difference between containment and eradication in a specific area or property and a major incursion with substantial economic implications.
To this end, a direction in relation to an exotic disease will not be reviewable. There is significant risk of spread of an exotic disease if a decision cannot be implemented immediately because it is subject to the delays inherent in a review process. A decision could relate to quarantine measures, animal destruction and disposal. Compensation is provided for.
A person who has reasonable grounds for believing that an animal is infected with an exotic disease or endemic disease commits an offence if they sell, move, dispose, bury, hide or otherwise attempt to suppress evidence of an animal. This will be in line with similar provisions in the New South Wales Stock Diseases Act and will ensure that animal diseases are disclosed to maximise the opportunity to deal with the disease and prevent losses to the wider community through the spread of the disease.
The bill also provides for authorised people to enter premises without a warrant if the authorised person believes on reasonable grounds that an animal or animal product is infected with a disease or that entry to the premises is necessary to prevent or control the spread of disease. The amendment will allow authorised people to enter premises where the owner of the premises is unable to be contacted, so that urgent disease management matters can be initiated.
The bill also addresses the use of live vaccines for disease control. The Animal Diseases Act 1993 currently prohibits the use of live vaccines. The use of live vaccines has inherent risks where more virulent forms may develop in the host animal, which may then become a source of infection. A false diagnosis can occur with an animal that has been vaccinated for the disease with a live vaccine.
Where diseases are declared because of their socioeconomic, public health or trade implications, it is vital that all sources of risk be managed effectively. However, some live vaccines have veterinary benefits without the associated risks. Vaccine for cat flu is an example. The Stock Diseases Bill amends the current provisions to remove controls over the use of live vaccines for diseases that are not declared as an endemic or exotic disease.
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