Australia’s Chief Vet visits Fiji
Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Mark Schipp, has travelled to Fiji to strengthen ties with key Fijian agricultural, veterinary and animal health representatives. The trip comes as part of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s Pacific Engagement Program for regional animal health and biosecurity. Dr Schipp met with representatives from the Fijian Government’s Ministry of Agriculture, along with the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji, the Pacific Community (SPC), the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Program (PHAMA Plus) and the Fiji National University.
“Our focus on partnership building activities with our Pacific neighbours is consistent with Australia’s whole of government objective to support regional economic prosperity and food security as part of Australia’s Pacific Step-Up foreign policy. Through reinforcing the biosecurity systems of our Pacific neighbours – and strengthening the multilateral organisations that support them – the Pacific Engagement Program aims to safeguard animal health across the Pacific region,” said Dr Schipp. Read more
Turtle conservation webinar
The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife is hosting a free webinar in partnership with the ‘1 Million Turtles’ program on Australian freshwater turtles and their conservation. Streaming this Thursday, December 16th at 6pm (AEDT), the webinar will feature turtle expert Dr Ricky Spencer from the ‘1 Million Turtles’ program and Nathan Cutter from the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
This presentation will cover information on different Australian turtle species, the current threats facing them, what is being done to conserve them, the TurtleSAT app, and ways you can get involved to give our shelled friends a helping hand.
Did you know that moving just one turtle away from danger, for example off the road, can result in saving thousands of future eggs (and turtle babies!), making this one of the best conservation actions you can do for freshwater turtles! Read more
