Fed: AQIS likely to get chop in quarantine overhaul

AAP General News (Australia)
12-19-2008
Fed: AQIS likely to get chop in quarantine overhaul

The nation's quarantine inspection service appears certain to be abolished .. as it
pays the penalty for failing to prevent the costly equine influenza outbreak.

A new national biosecurity authority .. which effectively replaces the Australian Quarantine
and Inspection Service .. is one of 84 recommendations made by a review panel .. and accepted
by the federal government.

The review's report has been welcomed by the horse racing industry .. farmers and vets.

The findings have been made public a week before Australia regains its international
EI-free status .. 12 months since the last notification of the disease.

The review recommends a new biosecurity system be set up at a cost of 260 million dollars
per year .. to combat the growing threat of globalisation .. climate change and the potential
for agri-terrorism.

AAP RTV rl/af/psm/

KEYWORD: QUARANTINE (CANBERRA)

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