Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has summoned state and territory environment ministers for an emergency meeting on Oct. 18 to address the threat of bird flu.
The meeting follows increasing pressure from conservation groups and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government, as Australia braces for the potential arrival of the H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza.
On Sept. 11, ACT Environment Minister Rebecca Vassarotti called for national leadership on the issue, citing concerns about mass wildlife deaths caused by the virus in other countries.
In response, Plibersek confirmed that the meeting would convene environment ministers and their agricultural counterparts to strategise a robust response to the bird flu threat.
“Unlike the strain of bird flu that we’ve seen infect local poultry industries, Australia is the only continent in the world to date which has not had any detection of the H5N1 strain. Given the threat this could pose to our precious ecosystems, we must ensure we are fully prepared to respond,” Minister Vassarotti said.
The Epoch Times reached out to the Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s office but did not receive a response before publication.
So far, the federal agriculture department has led Australia’s efforts to prepare for the outbreak, with input from Plibersek’s department. However, concerns have been raised by the Invasive Species Council that the primary focus has been on protecting poultry industries, potentially neglecting wildlife.
A key issue for the upcoming meeting will be prioritising wildlife species most at risk from the virus, which could arrive with migratory birds at any time. Jack Gough, advocacy director from the Invasive Species Council pointed out that wildlife authorities might have to make difficult decisions, choosing which species to protect when the virus reaches Australia.
Plibersek’s department has also engaged in trilateral discussions with the U.S. and New Zealand on vaccination strategies, learning from their experiences.
“We are reviewing the potential use of vaccines in Australia, including for threatened species,” she stated in a letter. However, she acknowledged that vaccinating wildlife may not always be practical, adding that alternative measures to bolster wildlife resilience were also under consideration.
Despite these efforts, the $7 million allocated to date for bird flu prevention has been heavily criticised by the Invasive Species Council, which argues that far more funding is necessary.
Bird Flu Status in Australia
Australia has not yet detected H5 avian influenza within its borders, but the risk is rising as migratory birds from affected regions begin arriving.While bird flu outbreaks have devastated wildlife populations overseas, Australia remains in preparation mode, focusing on preventive measures such as monitoring migratory routes and assessing the vulnerability of native species.
