AAHL set to meet growing biosecurity challenge

By May 8th, 2007

Australia’s ability to protect itself from incursions of diseases such as avian flu, rabies and SARS has been strengthened with a funding boost of $A16.8 million over four years to the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL), which is managed by CSIRO.

Responding to the announcements in the 2007 Budget, CSIRO Chief Executive Geoff Garrett said the funds would enable AAHL, based in Geelong, to better respond to the rapidly increasing demand for greater diagnostic and emergency response capacity which had increased 100-fold over recent years.

“We are delighted by the Government’s recognition of the importance of AAHL’s role in protecting Australia. This funding will benefit both public health and Australia’s livestock and related industries,”

Dr Garrett said.

Dr Garrett said the funds would also enable AAHL to implement new security measures and maintain engineering and maintenance capabilities.

“We are delighted by the Government’s recognition of the importance of AAHL’s role in protecting Australia. This funding will benefit both public health and Australia’s livestock and related industries,” Dr Garrett said.

The increase in global movement of people, animals and plants as well as the re-emergence of diseases such as foot and mouth, the emergence of new, virulent diseases and the risk of bioterrorism have sharply increased the demand on AAHL.

Dr Garrett said AAHL is one of the world’s leading High Security Physical Containment Level 4 facilities for work on animal exotic diseases and the most advanced in terms of providing animal health diagnostic services.

Fast facts

  • AAHL is one of the world’s leading High Security Physical Containment Level 4 facilities for work on animal exotic diseases and the most advanced in terms of providing animal health diagnostic services
  • This funding will benefit both public health and Australia’s livestock and related industries
  • The funds would enable AAHL, based in Geelong, to better respond to the rapidly increasing demand for greater diagnostic and emergency response capacity which had increased 100-fold over recent years