Import Risk Analysis Short Course

23rd – 25th September 2008, The University of Sydney, Camden

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The Farm Animal and Veterinary Public Health group at the Camden Campus, in partnership with Massey University, New Zealand, held a three day introductory course on import risk analysis for animal and animal products.

Professor Michael Ward coordinated the presentation of the course. The lead instructor was Dr Naomi Cogger, a lecturer in veterinary epidemiology from Massey University. Naomi has a close relationship with The University of Sydney and Camden: she completed a PhD in 2006 investigating the epidemiology of musculoskeletal injuries in Australian thoroughbred racehorses.

Naomi was assisted by Dr Marta Hernandez-Jover who is a Research Fellow working on an Australian Biosecurity CRC project evaluating the biosecurity risks posed by small landholders. Fifteen students attended this course. They came from Federal (Biosecurity Australia, Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority) and State (Victorian and Queensland DPIs) governments, Universities (Murdoch, Queensland and Sydney) and the Australian Biosecurity CRC, and private consultancy. Several University of Sydney Veterinary Public Health Management (VPHMgt) students attended the course.

Day one of the course focused on the policy and international conventions underpinning import risk analysis for animal products that are of interest to regulators and risk analysts alike. The remaining two days covered the technical aspects of import risk analysis. Students were taught probability theory and developed skills in quantitative risk assessment. Several cases studies were used, and the issue of equine influenza provoked animated discussions!