Hendra virus vaccine inquiry in QLD announced

The Queensland Parliament , last month, agreed to an inquiry into the Hendra virus vaccine approval, reporting of adverse effects and decisions veterinarians make in relation to attending unvaccinated horses.
The inquiry will be undertaken by the Agriculture and Environment Committee, and it will consider evidence about the safety of the Hendra virus vaccine and its cost and effectiveness, as well as the risks of the Hendra virus to those who may come in contact with horses.

The Terms of Reference that will guide the Committee’s inquiry include consideration of:

• the development, trials and approval processes of the Hendra virus vaccine; the incidence and impact of adverse reactions by horses following vaccination; and the reporting of adverse reactions and economic impacts of the vaccine;
• who bears the risks of Hendra virus infection and who incurs the costs and receives the benefits from each risk mitigation option;
• whether the procedures required for veterinarians attending horses that are not vaccinated against the Hendra virus are proportionate to the consequences;
• impacts on the equine industry and the economy arising from veterinarians applying a policy not to treat unvaccinated horses; and
• the impact of Workplace Health and Safety actions on the decision by veterinarians not to attend unvaccinated horses and results of previous Workplace Health and Safety HeV investigations where there have been human infections.

The Committee is calling for written public submissions. The closing date for lodging written submissions is Friday 22 April, 2016. 

A GUIDE ON HOW TO WRITE A SUBMISSION HERE

Given the legislation for the approval of agricultural and veterinary chemicals falls within the jurisdiction of the Parliament of Australia, the Committee will also seek evidence from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.

The Committee will take evidence from all sides to deliver an independent review, and report back to the Legislative Assembly by 22 August 2016.

Further information is available from the inquiry page here.

EQ will be putting in a submission addressing relevant points as it relates to the Terms of Reference.