Exercise Pigcatcher success

The state's Livestock Health and Pest Authorities have been at the frontline of a major exotic disease exercise, which has now concluded across Australia.

Exercise Pigcatcher started on Monday 6 July involving the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities and Industry and Investment NSW.

The objective of the exercise was to analyse the capability to trace nominated pigs from various points along the pig production chain, from the property of birth through finisher properties, saleyards and the abattoir.

Livestock Health and Pest Authorities Exercise Pigcatcher joint coordinator Steve Eastwood said the exercise had been a great success in tracing pig movements from right across the state, with animals traced within the required timeframes.

"It was also a great test before we had the real thing with the infection of pigs from influenza A H1N1 at Dunedoo in the central west.

"We were able to test the system before it was used in a real disease situation to identify all pigs in the local area which may have come into contact with infected animals.

"It shows the value of conducting exercises like Pigcatcher in reducing the potential impact of emergency disease outbreaks in any of our rural industries," Mr Eastwood said.

Livestock Health and Pest Authorities deliver the front line livestock health services in the state, working hand in hand with landholders to safeguard agricultural production from the biosecurity risks posed by disease and pests.

The authorities staff form a key part of the first response team which NSW uses to manage emergency diseases.

"This exercise enabled our staff to gain the extra skills required if we did have an exotic disease outbreak and in this case they were used within a short period of time to help manage the Influenza A H1N1 outbreak," Steve Eastwood said.

"We will continue to develop the skills of staff with future emergency disease training exercises to make sure we are prepared for any outcome.

Emergency animal disease preparedness remains a key focus for the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities."