Following on from a previous post (https://thefishvet.wordpress.com/2012/07/27/imminent-closure-of-the-aquatic-lab-in-townsville-what-are-the-ramifications/), there is an update about the impending veterinary laboratory closure.
TOWNSVILLE FACILITIES CUT TO HELP RESTORE BUDGET
THE State Government has shelved plans for an $18 million biosecurity lab in Townsville, which was to replace the old lab in the suburb of Oonoonba, which is closing. The Opposition and the Australian Party have criticised the move and said that it left North and Far North Queensland exposed to biosecurity risks. It could also mean the loss of up to 20 jobs, which follows recent media reports that there would be 550 jobs cut in the Agriculture department. Opposition agriculture spokesman Tim Mulherin said construction had already begun at the facility. Minister for Agriculture John McVeigh said the facility was unfunded, and he made the decision based on the need to rein-in spending. He said that testing for major outbreaks was done at Coopers Plains, Brisbane, while animal health tests were done in Geelong, and that the government was committed to biosecurity .
The decision has shocked aquaculture industries in Far North Queensland, which say it has serious and significant ramifications for the detection of both aquatic and terrestrial animal diseases. The Oonoonba facility has done very important work on the detection of diseases in marine species farmed in the tropics, including prawns and barramundi. While QFF fully supports the need for the State Budget to be restored to order, the impact of the closure of this lab will need to be managed to ensure critical services can be delivered effectively and economically for producers. These matters as yet have not been discussed with industry groups. There seems little doubt that the service is important but there remains widespread concern about whether the other options for the provision of that service have the capacity to handle the increased workload or that testing can be done in a timely and cost-effective way.
Letters of support for the work we do for the Aquaculture Industries of north Qld & have done for industy over the past 30 years can be directed to:
The Minister for Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries, John Mc Veigh.
