COVID-19: Send your letter to the Minister for Agriculture - Vets as an Essential Service

25 March 2020

Download the download this letter here.

Last night, further restrictions were announced on certain businesses as part of the National Cabinet’s COVID-19 response.

So far, veterinary businesses are not required to close, and can continue to work with implementation of appropriate infection prevention protocols.

In case stronger restrictions may come into place, the AVA continues to advocate for the veterinary profession and allied industry to be officially declared an essential service. 

This has already occurred in New Zealand, and we are calling on the Australian Government to give our profession the same long-term certainty.

We see this as critical for reasons of animal health, welfare and biosecurity, but also human health and mental wellbeing, food safety, and food supply chain integrity and continuity.

Our submission on this has gone to all relevant Commonwealth and state parliamentarians, including the National Task Force.

We invite you to download this letter, add your name and contact details, and email to the Minister for Agriculture as soon as possible.

A media release containing the same message has also been issued today.

Thank you for your assistance in this important advocacy work.

Melanie Latter
Head of Policy and Advocacy

Julia Crawford
AVA President