Wildlife and EAD response
Most EAD responses in Australia are funded and coordinated nationally through a pre-agreed arrangement between the Australian Government, state and territory governments and affected livestock industries to ensure a successful outcome.
This agreement is called the EADRA. Funding and coordination for diseases specifically affecting the environment have separate arrangements through the NEBRA, which is administered by the DAFF.One of the core activities of Australia’s wildlife health surveillance system is to ensure relevant authorities are notified of significant wildlife disease events. WHA acts as a stakeholder liaison body and may also assist in response to an EAD event as directed by the affected jurisdiction and the DAFF. Where a wildlife disease event crosses jurisdictional boundaries and is considered significant but does not trigger an EAD response, WHA may also be asked to help to determine if there are similar events in other states or territories, ensure key agencies, organisations and networks are aware, encourage or coordinate communications across disciplines and agencies, and provide linkage to key expertise at a national level. However, as the responsibility for wildlife health within jurisdictions sits with the CVOs, their authority must be recognised. They, or their appointed representative for wildlife (the WHA Coordinator), must always be kept informed of any events of concern and the response activities undertaken under their direction. The NBCEN produces nationally consistent public information in response to pest and disease outbreaks that may impact Australia. Wildlife is included within the scope of NBCEN, which may be activated to coordinate this information during a response.
4.5