Invitation

MLA invites interested parties to submit to conduct a Gap Analysis to describe the Research and Development opportunities associated with livestock biosecurity in Australia.

Tenders

Tenders must comply with all requirements specified in this request for tender. Please submit an electronic/soft copy of the tender. All submissions must be emailed to Dr Michael Laurence: mlaurence@mla.com.au.

SPECIFICATION

Gap Analysis – opportunities to invest in livestock biosecurity R&D in Australia

Summary:

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) is seeking applications from organizations (or partnerships of organizations) to develop a gap analysis that describes investment and technology research, development, and adoption (RD&A) opportunities associated with livestock biosecurity in Australia.

     Background:

Biosecurity is a critical concept in agriculture in Australia. The legislation, oversight, operation and research and extension of biosecurity is a complex and a shared responsibly. MLA needs to invest strategically in research that will be of direct benefit to producers and their livestock. A balance needs to be struck between discovery research that has a longer realization of impact timeframe, and projects that yield more direct and measurable benefits.

This project needs to provide a brief general review of the current Australian biosecurity system with focus on the risks and challenges and how these may be changing (e.g. climate change, new and emerging threats, trading partners, reduced servicing by rural veterinarians, corporatization of veterinary practice); the participants and their responsibilities and involvements, strengths and weaknesses; the governance of national biosecurity, the strengths and weaknesses and overall performance of the integrated system.

It should also review and critique new approaches in bio-surveillance (such as citizen science, social media monitoring, demonstrating freedom etc.) and explore the approaches used and potential for developments within large integrated industries (such as feedlots and commercial poultry), with focus on systems for demonstrating suitability for restoration of business-as-usual in sites with a potential trace contacts for an exotic agent. 

   Project objectives:

To clearly describe where MLA can invest in livestock biosecurity RD&A to deliver the most impactful research in the shortest timeframe. To clearly describe where there are discovery research opportunities that yield impactful strategies in the long term. Include reference to research partners, organizations and other potential funding sources.

Project deliverables:

MLA’s biosecurity investments need to be communicated to industry and the broader Australian research and government community with understanding that they will contribute to the collective Biosecurity R&D landscape.

The key deliverables of this project are:

• Mapping of the current and proposed livestock biosecurity Research Development and Adoption investments that are relevant to the red meat industry and being undertaken by other institutions or agencies (consider CSIRO, ACDP, State Governments, RDCs, and others).

• A description of the perception of the needs and gaps within the different sectors of the livestock industry (producers, transporters, state departments, the Federal agricultural departments, universities and research organizations, RDCs and AHA)

• Considered commentary on key possible investment opportunities that include but are not limited to; Identifying and accessing data sources (e.g. including novel sources of data such social media, citizen science, private companies); Predictive modelling to both understand climate change and disease spread; Vector distribution maps with impact and ability to transmit including vector geneflow maps from SE Asia to Australia; Rapid diagnostics for agreed diseases, extending into application and suitability of novel screening tests for disease (such as syndromic surveillance); Vaccines for emergency responses identified and pathways for use established; Indigenous disease management/control programs established; Autonomous technology program opportunities with a focus on diagnosis, monitoring and animal tracking; Role of GMO in biosecurity.

• A clear description and summary of the Biosecurity governance and legislative framework in Australia with specific reference to livestock industries. This should be viewed in the context of the red meat industry’s role within a nationally coordinated and effective biosecurity system.

• A clear description of the governance and operational roles and responsibilities at an local and national institutional and individual (role) level

• A Gap Analysis and prioritized recommendations for red meat industry R&D investments that will deliver the most impactful research in the shortest timeframe

• A list of potential investment partners and funding opportunities for future collaborative investment