The unique face <strong>of</strong> nature
AVA Service Centres AVA Service Centres act as the hub for all activities in support <strong>of</strong> AVA's effort towards food, animal and plant health. Aquaculture Services Centre Formerly known as the Freshwater Fisheries Centre, the Aquaculture Services Centre (ASC), plays an active role in facilitating the development <strong>of</strong> foodfish and ornamental fish trade and industry in <strong>Singapore</strong>. The name change reflects the expansion <strong>of</strong> services provided by the centre. ASC provides technical advice and support to investors, farmers and exporters involved in the foodfish aquaculture and ornamental fish business, promotes and encourages the industry to use science and modern technology for the production <strong>of</strong> high quality foodfish for local consumption and in the production and export <strong>of</strong> quality ornamental fish. In FY 02/<strong>03</strong>, ASC provided consultancy services to local and overseas parties and agencies on foodfish aquaculture and ornamental fish projects. It provides advisory services to dragon fish breeding farms and monitors the performance <strong>of</strong> captive breeding and trading activities in these CITES-approved farms. Central <strong>Veterinary</strong> Laboratory The Central <strong>Veterinary</strong> Laboratory (CVL) is the national animal health laboratory and provides diagnostic services for the detection and identification <strong>of</strong> diseases in animals, birds and aquatic animals. It also <strong>of</strong>fers quality control testing services for veterinary vaccines. In addition to playing a supportive role to AVA’s disease surveillance programmes, CVL also serves farms, veterinary clinics, private and government organisations, and members <strong>of</strong> the public. The number <strong>of</strong> laboratory tests performed reached an all time high <strong>of</strong> 167,273 tests in FY 02/<strong>03</strong>, an increase <strong>of</strong> 2.1% over the previous year. Centre for Animal Welfare and Control The Centre for Animal Welfare and Control (CAWC) located at Pasir Panjang is a onestop centre for matters pertaining to animal welfare and control. CAWC’s main responsibility is the licensing and control <strong>of</strong> dogs in <strong>Singapore</strong>. It conducts daily inspections at residential areas and strives for a high level <strong>of</strong> promptness in response to requests for investigation. In FY02/<strong>03</strong>, it managed to meet 96.5% <strong>of</strong> all requests within two working days. CAWC also loans animal traps to residents and organisations that have problems with stray cats or dogs. CAWC ensures the welfare <strong>of</strong> animals by investigating instances <strong>of</strong> animal cruelty and by licensing pet shops and exhibitions <strong>of</strong> animals. Routine inspections are also carried out on pet shops to check that illegal and exotic animals are not being sold. CAWC also promotes animal welfare and responsible pet ownership through public education, advisories and counselling. On average, some 100 talks are given each year to schools and the public. The Centre works closely with animal welfare groups and participates in exhibitions and roadshows to promote responsible pet ownership. Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station The Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station, sited within the Changi Airfreight Centre, conducts inspection <strong>of</strong> animals and birds, veterinary biologics and meat products, imported into <strong>Singapore</strong> by air. All imported products are checked and their health documentation verified to ensure that they are fit and free <strong>of</strong> contaminants. Horticulture Services Centre The Horticulture Services Centre plays a key supporting role in the horticulture industry. It provides services in the areas <strong>of</strong> tissue culture, seed pod germination, consultancy, field evaluation and training, among others. The seed pod culture service continues to be popular amongst growers, hobbyists and schools as it allows the breeding and selection <strong>of</strong> unique hybrids. A total <strong>of</strong> 182 seed pods were received, <strong>of</strong> which 6% were from Paphiopedilum (slipper orchid) hybrids. The laboratory protocol to successfully culture Paphiopedilum hybrids has been developed through an R&D project. In <strong>2002</strong>, the Centre also cloned a total <strong>of</strong> 21,000 plantlets <strong>of</strong> orchids and other exotic ornamental plants like pelargoniums, pitcher plants and Venus fly traps. Jurong Animal Quarantine Station The Jurong Animal Quarantine Station provides quarantine for imported animals such as horses, cattle, sheep, goats, dogs and cats. The station’s role is to ensure that no exotic animal diseases <strong>of</strong> public health or economic significance are introduced into <strong>Singapore</strong>. In FY 02/<strong>03</strong>, a total <strong>of</strong> 8,204 animals were quarantined at the station. Jurong and Senoko Fishing Ports The Jurong Fishing Port (JFP) is a port <strong>of</strong> call for foreign fishing vessels for the landing, wholesale and distribution <strong>of</strong> fresh fish. A total <strong>of</strong> 106 AVA-licensed fish merchants currently operate in JFP. In FY 02/<strong>03</strong>, JFP handled 74,834 tonnes <strong>of</strong> fish. Of these, 7,136 tonnes were tuna transhipments. During the same period, a total <strong>of</strong> 5,271 vessel calls were made at JFP. The five main fish supplying countries are Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, India and People’s Republic <strong>of</strong> China. Senoko Fishing Port (SFP) serves as a home base for the local fishing fleet. There are 25 AVA-licensed fish merchants currently operating here. SFP handles both local and imported fish. Local production comprises fish landed by local fishing trawlers, fish from kelongs and fish farms. In FY 02/<strong>03</strong>, 15,104 tonnes <strong>of</strong> fish were handled at SFP. A total <strong>of</strong> 465 vessel calls were made by local fishing trawlers at the port last year. Marine Aquaculture Centre The Marine Aquaculture Centre (MAC), located on St John’s Island was built at a cost <strong>of</strong> $33 million to undertake tropical marine foodfish aquaculture technology development. Its major programmes are in large-scale hatchery and fish farming, with state-<strong>of</strong>-the-art R&D facilities that are the first <strong>of</strong> its kind in the region. Special facilities include spawning tank systems, live food micro-organism culture systems, large-scale hatchery, and sea water re-use systems. The facilities were tested and commissioned over the year and most were in operation by the end <strong>of</strong> <strong>2002</strong>. The Centre commenced hatchery operations on a test scale concurrently while the systems were being commissioned. During this period, the Centre was successful in laying down the protocol for batch and mass production <strong>of</strong> live food micro-organisms which are required in fish larval rearing. The Intellectual Property Rights Identification and Protection Programme on Marine Hatchery Technology at St John’s Island, which began in 2001, was completed in <strong>2002</strong>. Areas <strong>of</strong> focus included IPR audit investigation and <strong>report</strong>, formulation <strong>of</strong> policies, and the drafting <strong>of</strong> employment-related and commercial agreements. Recommendations made in the course <strong>of</strong> the programme have since been adopted at MAC. Marine Fisheries Research Department/Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Centre As a member <strong>of</strong> the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Centre (SEAFDEC), <strong>Singapore</strong> manages the Marine Fisheries Research Department (MFRD) through AVA. In FY 02/<strong>03</strong>, MFRD continued to play an active role in aiding the transfer <strong>of</strong> technology to the fish processing industry and government sector. Nine research projects, a training course and one workshop were conducted both locally and regionally, training a total <strong>of</strong> 35 people from across the region. In July <strong>2002</strong>, MFRD’s chemistry laboratory received ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for five tests in the field <strong>of</strong> Chemical & Biological Testing under the <strong>Singapore</strong> Accreditation Council – <strong>Singapore</strong> Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (SAC- SINGLAS). Plant Health Centre The Plant Health Centre is a resource centre providing analytical and diagnostic services for the identification <strong>of</strong> insect pests, diseases and nutrition problems <strong>of</strong> plants in <strong>Singapore</strong>. Its services include soil and growth media nutrient analysis, providing advice, training and consultation on the control <strong>of</strong> pests and disease management. In FY02/<strong>03</strong>, the Centre published a Pest Management Guide, a quarterly Plant Bulletin and released fortnightly pest alerts to farms, plant nurseries and National Parks Board. In addition to alerts on endemic or new pests, the Centre also provides information on diseases and disease control measures to agri-businesses and the public. The Centre also conducts plant health training courses on pest and disease management for orchid and aquatic plant cultivators, as well as students taking the Diploma Horticulture & Landscape Management Course at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. In FY 02/<strong>03</strong>, the Plant Health Laboratories performed 14,476 tests to diagnose plant pests and disease problems. It also hosted two plant clinics at the Garden Tech <strong>2002</strong> and the <strong>Singapore</strong> Flower Festival, providing plant health advisory and information services to some 50,000 visitors at the events. <strong>Veterinary</strong> Public Health Laboratory The <strong>Veterinary</strong> Public Health Laboratory (VPHL), is the regulatory food analytical laboratory <strong>of</strong> AVA. VPHL <strong>of</strong>fers a comprehensive range <strong>of</strong> analytical services covering a wide spectrum <strong>of</strong> chemical and microbiological hazards. Its capabilities include tests for disease causing, food poisoning and spoilage organisms, harmful chemicals, toxins and economic fraudulence. VPHL is also the national reference laboratory for pesticide residues. VPHL’s competent and pr<strong>of</strong>essional staff adopts internationally recognised procedures and standards, as well as state-<strong>of</strong>-the-art technology, to provide a multi-disciplinary laboratory service to the public and private sectors. It develops test capabilities to keep pace with the challenges <strong>of</strong>, and to maintain vigilance against, newly emerging chemical and microbiological hazards that may be present in food. In July <strong>2002</strong>, construction work began to relocate VPHL into an upgraded facility for optimal laboratory and food inspections. The $31.6 million project is anticipated to be completed in June 20<strong>03</strong>. Our service centres such as the Marine Aquaculture Centre are optimally equipped and competently staffed to support our functions. Page 62 Page 63