Australia's three Chiefs of biosecurity have come together to mark One Health Day, reminding all Australians of the shared responsibility to safeguard our world-renowned biosecurity status.
One Health Day is a global initiative that recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal, plant and environmental health, and highlights the collaboration necessary to protect our environment, our economy and our way of life.
This collaboration is highlighted by the cross-agency High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) Taskforce led by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
Australia remains the only continent free of H5 bird flu. The Taskforce has been working for over a year in conjunction with One Health partners and stakeholders nationally, helping deliver the more than $100 million the Australian Government has invested to strengthen our surveillance, preparedness and response capability for H5 bird flu.
The Taskforce was recently recognised by the Institute of Public Administration Australia with the Spirit of Service Collaboration award for leading and coordinating action across governments, industry and non-government organisations.
There are many other pests and diseases that if established in Australia will have a significant impact on human, animal, plant and ecological health and so as summer approaches, the Chiefs are urging communities to remain vigilant about seasonal biosecurity threats that thrive in warmer conditions. Warmer conditions are peak times for hitchhiker pests, and shipping containers in the cold northern hemisphere can shelter these pests who then hitch rides to Australia.
Managing these dynamic health and biosecurity threats requires a One Health approach of strong partnerships between government departments, industries, health experts and the community.
Lines attributable to Acting Deputy Secretary Biosecurity Operations and Compliance Group Christie Sawczuk: "DAFF has more than a thousand highly skilled biosecurity officers working across our borders, and is increasing community awareness to help Australians understand how they can contribute to biosecurity.
"Recognising One Health Day each year helps to highlight the importance of partnerships and raise awareness of the connections between the health of humans, animals, plants and ecosystems, and that protecting the health of one is protecting the health of all.
"I thank our three Chiefs for their ongoing dedication and leadership in protecting Australia's enviable biosecurity status."
Lines attributable to Australia's three biosecurity Chiefs:
Australia's Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Beth Cookson: "One Health Day provides an opportunity to recognise the importance of partnerships in managing complex health threats. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners as One Health becomes fully embedded in Australian systems".
Australian Chief Plant Protection Officer Dr Gabrielle Vivian-Smith: "The One Health approach allows us to be able to meet global health challenges and food demands of the future and maintain a healthy and productive planet.
"Protecting plants is protecting life. Healthy plants contribute to food and nutrition security for humans and animals, as well as healthy ecosystems by supporting resilient food chains and biodiversity."
Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer Dr Bertie Hennecke: "Pests and diseases in our environment can impact on multiple sectors by reducing biodiversity, disrupting ecosystem services or acting as vectors for harmful illnesses.
"DAFF's mantra is that biosecurity is everyone's responsibility. The development of our national One Health framework is helping to deliver on this and many other fronts, for the benefit of the entire country."
