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Biosecurity in Australia

Biosecurity is the protection of livelihoods and lifestyles from the threats posed by pests. Comprehensive biosecurity systems help ensure Australia’s food security and food safety, while good biosecurity practices protect our farmers’ productivity and make good business sense.

Minimising the biosecurity risks posed by insects, pathogens and diseases (collectively called pests) that are new to Australia is a key focus for governments, plant & animal industries as well as the organisations tasked by the Federal Government to assist in the management of biosecurity responses:  Plant Health Australia Limited and Animal Health Australia Limited.

HOW BIOSECURITY RESPONSE IS ORGANISED IN AUSTRALIA

Participants in the new rural industries may not be aware that in the event of a biosecurity failure or breach ie the entry into Australia of a new disease or pest, the cost of responding to the incursion is borne by the industry or public sector most affected e.g. the massive response made by the Federal Government as a result of equine influenza a few years ago is being paid back by the horse industry over time as they were the  exclusive beneficiaries of the government action.  Where, for example, a disease or pest was (say) devastating the koala population; then the government will bear 100% of the cost of any response. 

To regulate the way in which biosecurity responses are managed and to provide ‘rules’ on how to apportion financial costs of such responses; the Federal Government drafted up 2 deeds:  the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD) and the Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA).  These Deeds regulate the matters of how and who manages a response and who bears the costs of a response , how costs might be shared between affected parties and how an affected party may even be compensated.

These Deeds are legally binding contracts between the parties that sign them.  Each Deed has been signed by the Federal Government and each State Government, several research institutes and by a variety of industry representative bodies.

IF YOUR INDUSTRY IS NOT A SIGNATORY TO AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE DEED YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR COMPENSATION IN THE EVENT OF A BIOSECURITY BREACH

Two organisations,  Plant Health Australia Limited and Animal Health Australia Limited have been created to facilitate the actions and responses of each of the various sectors in the event of a biosecurity response.  These companies also provide training and support to the industries they represent so as to minimise the opportunities for such breaches to occur and for any incursions to be recognised quickly.   These are membership based companies. 

IF YOUR INDUSTRY IS NOT A MEMBER OF EITHER PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA OR ANIMAL HEALTH AUSTRALIA, THESE COMPANIES ARE NOT ABLE TO ASSIST YOU DIRECTLY.

As many of our new rural industries may not even have industry associations and/or not be able to afford membership in PHA or AHA, NRIA has become an associate member of the organisations on your behalf.

As such we are able to represent your interests at meetings of the companies and we are given a voice at the table when considering responses to biosecurity threats.  PHA, in particular, has been of great assistance with respect to information and support regarding myrtle rust which affects several of our new plant industries.

IF YOU SUSPECT YOU HAVE A BIOSECURITY PEST ON YOUR PROPERTY OR IN YOUR ANIMALS, CONTACT NRIA WHO WILL LIASE WITH THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES ON YOUR BEHALF.

Additional information on Myrtle Rust

Pest Alert Factsheet - Nursery and Garden Industry

QLD Myrtle Rust brochure 2 pages

QLD Myrtle Rust brochure single page

Biosecurity -- Pests and Diseases

The Biosecurity section contains information and links regarding key pests and diseases relevant to those in new rural industries.

We have included many links on the subject of Myrtle Rust, as this new incursion to Australia is a major risk for a number of industries, including Tea-Tree, Australian Native Foods, Wildflowers and several others.

MURTLE RUST IMAGE