The Federal Government has appointed an interim inspector general of horse importation as part of its response to the Callinan Inquiry into the 2007 outbreak of equine influenza.
Former Queensland chief veterinary officer and internationally-recognised quarantine expert, Dr Kevin Dunn, had been appointed to the position.
Agriculture Minister Tony Burke said Dr Dunn would play a key role in checking operations and procedures for the importation of horses, including at quarantine premises in Australia and overseas.
Dr Dunn served as Queensland Chief Veterinary Officer from 1992 to 2006; worked with the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, including managing a livestock import quarantine station and developing import protocols and led the response to a number of disease outbreaks.
Dr Dunn was also the Australian Government’s veterinary representative to the European Union.
"The Government is committed to fixing the failures in our quarantine and biosecurity system identified by the Callinan Inquiry report," Mr Burke said.
"In June we agreed to implement all 38 of Commissioner Callinan's recommendations and we're making good progress.
"The new interim Inspector General of Horse Importation will provide advice directly to me and his work will be integral in ensuring we have robust quarantine and biosecurity systems."
The Government agreed to appoint an interim Inspector General of Horse Importation, pending the outcome of the review into Australia’s quarantine and biosecurity systems, chaired by Roger Beale AO.
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