I receiveda good question related to my last post (https://thefishvet.com/2017/07/19/biosecure-australia-intends-to-let-loose-a-devastating-fish-virus-join-the-discussion/).
Question:Richmond, from your perspective, do you think that the release of KHV can be prevented at this point? I agree with your concerns and I share many of the concerns raised in the previous WAVMA webinar on the topic; particularly those surrounding the environmental impacts of large scale, rapid death and decay of fish in the waterways. And the fact that there is "no going back" once it happens. However, I get the impression that the government is set in its plan to release the virus, no matter what research findings reveal and no matter what opposition they meet. Am I being too defeatist? Do you think it’s possible to change their plans?
My response:
As part of the stakeholder consultation process, an official Facebook Page was setup (link – https://www.facebook.com/auscarpplan/). If you try clicking on it…
You get this message:
The page you requested cannot be displayed at the moment. It may be temporarily unavailable, the link you clicked on may be broken or expired, or you may not have permission to view this page.
Makes me wonder why it has been taken off-line. Perhaps it exposed the great degree of opposition they were faced with, and weren’t prepared with answers to address many concerns.
I would have thought that a consultation process would have been better to have taken place at the beginning of the program. This would allow the program to fashion research to adress aspects of concern to stakeholders (environmentalists, biologists, aquatic veterinarians, fishermen, water users, members of the community, and others).
A consultation process that is timed to occur only after investing 10 years of funding… this defeatist attitude is entirely understandable.
There are many safe alternatives to KHV. And if KHV is released now, it will nullify any effect, alternative measures could have.
Now it appears that one of the stakeholders have reopened discussions, on another Facebook Page –
https://www.facebook.com/auscarpplandiscussion/
I encourage everyone, no matter what your opinion, to have open factual discussions on that FB Page.
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Yours sincerely,
Dr Richmond Loh
DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPhil (Pathology), MANZCVS (Aquatics& Pathobiology), CertAqV, NATA Signatory.
Aquatic Veterinarian & Veterinary Pathologist.
PERTH | MELBOURNE | SYDNEY | TOWNSVILLE | BRIBIE ISLAND.
THE FISH VET – AUSTRALIA.
Aquatic Veterinary Medical & Diagnostic Services.
Web: http://www.thefishvet.com.au
Ph: +61 421 822 383
Mail: PO Box 5164, East Victoria Park, WA 6981, Australia.
