Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries
and Forestry Tony Burke has released the report of the inquiry into last
year’s equine influenza outbreak, conducted by the Hon. Ian Callinan AC,
along with the Federal Government’s response.
The Government has
agreed to all 38 of Commissioner Callinan’s recommendations.
Commissioner Callinan
concluded that the virus ‘probably’ came into Australia in August 2007, via
horses from Japan.
He was unable to make
a precise finding as to how the virus entered the general horse population,
or of direct liability or culpability, but found the virus was most likely
carried on a contaminated person or equipment leaving Eastern Creek
Quarantine Station.
The Commission made
no findings on legal liability. His report identified a number of matters
involving the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) and the
horse industry which may have contributed to the outbreak.
The Commissioner
accepted that private vets, grooms, farriers and their employers must take
some responsibility for the failure in quarantine.
“This comprehensive
report is a disturbing commentary on Australia’s quarantine and biosecurity
arrangements for horse imports before August last year,” Mr Burke said.
“While changes have
been made to horse import systems since the outbreak, the Commissioner has
highlighted serious and systemic failures in the system and the Government
is acting urgently to fix these failures.
“Our most important
action was to establish a comprehensive review of our quarantine and
biosecurity systems – led by Roger Beale AO – which is well underway.”
Commissioner Callinan
also raised serious questions about the operations of AQIS and Australia’s
broader biosecurity arrangements.
Mr Burke has written to
Mr Roger Beale asking him to address these issues as part of his review.
A number of the
Commissioner’s recommendations will be implemented immediately, including:
- Appoint a new Inspector
General of Horse Importation, reporting to the Minister, to inspect
and audit quarantine facilities for horses to be exported to Australia
(both international and domestic);
- Make a senior officer of
the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry responsible for
the importation of horses into Australia; and
- Improve operating
procedures for the clearance and quarantine of horses.
Other recommendations
to be implemented after further investigation include:
- Horses to be tested for
equine influenza both before travelling to Australia and while still
in quarantine after arrival;
- Review biosecurity
policies for horses and carry out an import risk analysis;
- Reassess importation
conditions for horses applied by AQIS;
- Review pre-export,
airport and quarantine station facilities;
- Review fees charged for
the export of horses to Australia, looking at the cost of quarantine,
auditing and risk factors.
To ensure that the
Government’s response is implemented in full, and without delay, the
Government has appointed Professor Peter Shergold AC – former Secretary of
the Prime Minister’s Department – to oversee the process. He will
report regularly to the Minister over the next two years.
According to
preliminary estimates, it will cost around $1.3 million to implement those
recommendations requiring immediate action.
The Government will
consult with industry sectors in implementing the recommendations.
Mr Burke noted that
the Callinan Inquiry report finds AQIS’ shortcomings were due to acts and
omissions over many years, with ultimate responsibility resting with
several key positions held by various people in recent years.
“I have considered
this issue carefully and the Secretary of the Department retains my
confidence,” Mr Burke said.
“Other staffing
issues in the Department are being addressed by the Secretary.”
The Government will
continue to consult with a range of industry sectors, including the racing,
breeding and recreational sectors.
“The outbreak of
equine influenza had serious economic and social effects,” Mr Burke said.
“So far, the
Government has spent more than $342 million in eradicating the virus and in
financial assistance to individuals, organisations and businesses.
“We raised grave
concerns about Australia’s biosecurity and quarantine arrangements while in
Opposition and the Commissioner’s report shows our concerns were
well-founded.
“We must drive
cultural change in our quarantine and biosecurity systems so that
Australians have confidence in those systems.”
The Federal
Government has responded to each of the Commissioner’s recommendations in
detail.
The full report is
available at www.equineinfluenzainquiry.gov.au and
the Government’s response is available at www.daff.gov.au/about/publications/eiinquiry
