Welcome to the jam-packed June edition of the Three Chiefs Newsletter!
The Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Beth Cookson and her team provide updates on their participation at the recent annual General Session event of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), plus meet the Veterinary Workforce Data Taskforce, and learn about Australia's Animal Health Committee and their focus on avian influenza.
The Chief Plant Protection Officer, Dr Gabrielle Vivian-Smith and her team recently celebrated the 2025 International Day of Plant Health, plus learn about the updates to the National Priority Plant Pests, insights into the department's diagnostic pathology work, and an update on the 19th Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-19) held earlier this year in Rome.
The Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer, Dr Bertie Hennecke and his team share updates on tackling Australia's feral deer problem, plus learn more about an initiative strengthening First Nations leadership in environmental biosecurity, and the pest profile for this edition highlights white-nose syndrome in bats.
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Australian Chief Veterinary Officer (OCVO) |
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Australia's Chief Veterinary Officer fortifying international engagement |
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| It's been a busy start to the year for Dr Beth Cookson, Australia's Chief Veterinary Officer, and her office as they continue to lead Australian representation in key international animal health fora - including the annual Animal Health Quadrilateral (Quads) Alliance meeting in Scotland, and the World Organisation for Animal Health's (WOAH) 92nd General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates in France. |  |
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Introducing the Veterinary Workforce Data Taskforce |
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 | The veterinary profession in Australia, and worldwide, is facing significant workforce challenges. Veterinarians play a crucial role in supporting Australian agriculture, animal owners, and wildlife by ensuring optimal animal health, welfare, and productivity. They also safeguard public health and food security through biosecurity activities, including emergency animal disease surveillance and response.
The Veterinary Workforce Data Taskforce was established earlier this year to explore options for defining, collating, housing, analysing, and sharing national veterinary workforce data, and ultimately to recommend a preferred national workforce data solution. |
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Avian influenza remains high on the agenda for Australia's Animal Health Committee |
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 | Earlier this year the Animal Health Committee (AHC) held its first face-to-face meeting for 2025 in Sydney. AHC delivers strategic policy, technical and regulatory advice, and national leadership on animal health and biosecurity matters. It is responsible for delivering on national priority reform areas in relation to animal health and overseeing the development and implementation of animal health strategies and standards.
At the meeting in March, AHC discussed activities planned and underway to enhance Australia's preparedness for high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI). |
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Australian Chief Plant Protection Officer
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Celebrating the 2025 International Day of Plant Health |
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The fifth annual International Day of Plant Health was celebrated on 12 May, with the global theme of the importance of plant health in One Health – an integrated, unifying approach that recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal, plant and environmental health.
Members of the department joined other dignitaries to attend the launch of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Training Centre in Plant Biosecurity at the Australian National University, which will host post graduate research beneficial to plant health and biosecurity in Australia.
Later in the day, the department's Secretary, Adam Fennessy, opened a departmental afternoon tea event for staff at Agriculture House, which also featured a panel discussion focusing on the relationship between plant health and One Health. |  |
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National Priority Plant Pests threats highlighted |
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The department, in collaboration with state and territory governments through the Plant Health Committee, recently updated the list of National Priority Plant Pests (NPPP). The NPPP highlight the threats Australia faces from plant pests and diseases and guides national action and investment of public funds to address these threats. It includes 116 pests and diseases grouped into 37 groups based on shared biology, entry pathways, surveillance methods and response, or interrelated impacts.
Australia's plant biosecurity faces increasing pressure from global trade, travel, and climate change. A proactive and collaborative approach to reviewing and updating the NPPP every five years is required to ensure currency.
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Collaboration a cornerstone of diagnostic laboratory work |
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 | At the department's diagnostic laboratory in Melbourne, Senior Molecular Biologist Grace Sun and colleagues Komal Gurdasani, Umar Muhammad, Brodie Sutcliffe, Jesse Pinguinha and Brad Pease are utilising the latest diagnostic technology to help protect Australia from potentially harmful plant pests and diseases.
The laboratory demonstrates the immense benefit of staff collaboration across the inspection, import operations and scientific services areas - all working together as part of our biosecurity system to safeguard Australian agriculture. |
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Talking plant health at the 19th Commission on Phytosanitary Measures meeting |
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 | In March, the Australian Chief Plant Protection Officer (ACPPO) Dr Gabrielle Vivian-Smith participated in the 19th Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-19) in Rome, leading the Australian delegation including Dr Sophie Peterson and Ms Lauren Madden.
The CPM is a key annual forum for protecting global plant health, and this year several key topics were discussed including the safe provision of humanitarian aid, One Health, sea container biosecurity, and how international standards could be made less complex and more readily accessed and implemented into the future. |
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Australian Chief Environmental Biosecurity
Officer (ACEBO) |
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Strengthening First Nations Leadership in Environmental Biosecurity |
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Indigenous Rangers play a key role in environmental biosecurity surveillance and land management. A deep connection to Country helps Indigenous Rangers recognise signs of ecological distress, unusual pests and signs of disease, making them frontline defenders in biosecurity surveillance and reporting. However, with the growing spread of invasive species and foreign diseases, Rangers require specialised training, resources and collaboration.
The Indigenous Forest Health project focusses on improving the capacity of Indigenous Rangers in northern New South Wales and south-east Queensland to protect culturally significant species and places that are threatened by exotic pests and diseases. |  |
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Tackling Australia's feral deer problem |
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Feral deer are an emerging pest animal problem in Australia, with rising numbers causing damage to the environment and Australian agriculture. Current population numbers are not exact, but decades of farm escapes and deliberate relocations have helped deer populations expand exponentially. Recent population estimates range from one to two million, with numbers on the increase.
The Australian Government recognises the adverse impacts caused by feral deer on our agricultural production and environment and invests strategically in pest animal management, particularly through priorities driven by associated strategies and plans, such as the National Feral Deer Action Plan 2023–2028. |  |
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Pest Profile: White-nose syndrome in bats |
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White-nose syndrome (WNS) is one of Australia's higher-risk exotic environmental diseases. WNS is a fungal disease that affects hibernating bats, leading to high mortality. First recorded in New York bats in 2006, the disease has since spread across the United States and Canada. Since then, it has been found on bats in Europe and Asia.
White-nose syndrome has not been identified in Australia, however it poses a significant risk, particularly to threatened species facing multiple impacts to their survival. |
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Nominations are now open for the 2025 Australian Biosecurity Awards |
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Do you know someone making a real difference in Australia's biosecurity system? Nominate them for an Australian Biosecurity Award.
Every day, individuals, groups and organisations across Australia play a vital role in protecting our environment, agriculture and way of life from biosecurity threats. The awards honour those who go above and beyond to keep Australia safe.
Whether it's a dedicated researcher, an innovative project team or a long-serving biosecurity leader, your nomination can help recognise and celebrate their impact.
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