Bird Flu Threat Sparks Emergency Meeting as Australia Seeks Global Guidance

Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has summoned state and territory environment ministers for an emergency meeting on Oct. 18 to address the threat of bird flu. The meeting follows increasing pressure from conservation groups and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government, as Australia braces for the potential arrival of the H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza. On Sept. 11, ACT Environment Minister Rebecca Vassarotti called for national leadership on the issue, citing concerns about mass wildlife deaths caused by the virus in other countries. In response, Plibersek confirmed that the meeting would convene environment ministers and their agricultural counterparts to strategise a robust response to the bird flu threat....