(Public Sector Linkage Programme) LRD New initiatives Establishing a Food Animal Biosecurity Network (WP14) (Public Sector Linkage Programme) Ken Cokanasiga AH & P LRD

Objective To deliver enhanced animal health field and laboratory capability to the Pacific islands to allow assessment under OIE guidelines, for trade in animals and animal products.

Activities Deliver training to existing animal health laboratory staff in PNG and Fiji to build capacity to implement a laboratory quality system for validation of the testing procedures and results. Develop a network of laboratories with compatible quality systems that functions to validate diagnostic work as well as functioning as reserve capacity in event of outbreak situations. Develop a field based surveillance and recording platforms suitable for use in Pacific island countries to allow analysis of spatial and temporal patterns of disease. Develop a Pacific food animal health network to address issues relating to food security and trade in animals and animal products.

Inputs that will be undertaken to achieve the outputs 1.Appointment of a laboratory training officer to undertake the technical training and quality management systems development. 2.Appointment of a PhD student in Laboratory Technology under supervision of James Cook University to develop the protocols necessary for laboratory quality management and quarantine protocols. 3.Appointment of a PhD student in Epidemiology under supervision of James Cook University to develop the tools required for surveillance and analysis of spatial and temporal disease. 4.First of the training sessions for laboratory based staff from participating countries ( PNG, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands) to be conducted in Fiji laboratory ssessment of requirements for quality systems implementation. 5.Scoping visits to Solomon Islands, Vanuatu to discuss trade strategy and plans for agricultural development. 6.Deployment of rapid animal health risk assessment protocols to selected pilot sites in all participating countries

Inputs( contd) 7.Second and third training sessions for laboratory staff from participating countries to be held in PNG and Australia (Townsville). 8.Collection and analysis of pilot rapid animal health risk assessment data. 9.In consultation with local animal health officers and para-veterinary officers deployment of surveillance data collection tools to targeted livestock production areas. 10.Fourth and fifth laboratory training sessions to be held in PNG and Fiji. 11.Analysis of animal health data and discussions with senior animal health officers on priorities and strategies. 12.Development of protocols for laboratory reference program 13.Analysis of the data and development of priorities for animal health trade and production protocols and network membership. 14.Presentation of final reports

Outputs:  Five training sessions will be provided for current laboratory based staff in PNG and Fiji to ensure the appropriate test protocols and knowledge is available to support animal health certification and disease investigation programs. A review and recommendation report of the steps required to adopt and implement an accredited quality management system for animal health laboratories in PNG and Fiji will be produced. Protocols for the collection, transport and handling of reference samples between Australia and PNG or Fiji will be developed to enable development of proficiency standard testing and assistance with future incident response and diagnostic capacity in these regional laboratories. Application of a rapid appraisal technique for significant livestock industries in Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Fiji (dairy and beef) and PNG (dairy and beef) to establish an animal health risk profile. Establish a framework for significant livestock industries in each country to progress with animal health status requirements and biosecurity risk assessments for trade in animals or animal products. Development of a network of professional animal health technicians and veterinarians to serve the interests of Pacific countries for food security. Dairy and beef already identified as key sectors for Fiji and PNG but other livestock sectors will be evaluated

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