A review finding Australia’s biosecurity system is “strong” and “sound” is welcome news, says the National Farmers’ Federation, but it says the 14 recommendations identified need addressing sooner rather than later.
In the four-week project, the Joint Interagency Taskforce: Exotic Animal Disease Preparedness, stress-tested the complex biosecurity system through a cross jurisdiction and industry lens to ensure a co-ordinated national approach in the event of a foot and mouth or lumpy skin disease incursion.
NFF president Fiona Simson said ensuring farmers, industry bodies and all jurisdictions were singing from the same hymn sheet was imperative in the face of a biosecurity incident.
“Borders don’t matter when it comes to feeding people in Australia,” Ms Simson said.
“For example, our farmers in Western Australia are feeding people on the east coast and vice versa, so a seamless and well communicated approach is important, not only to protect our animals and environment, but to ensure if a situation arises, the impact to our food supply chain is minimised.”
While the taskforce’s report confirmed Australia’s biosecurity system was adequate, it identified improvements including strengthening communications and cross-border co-operation, and ensuring the system kept in step with technology.
It also flagged the risks from pest and disease incursion were also increasing so Australia needed to ensure the nation’s system matched the risks.
“While it’s critical to have the best plans in place, we have recently seen with varroa mite how incursions put extreme strain on our resources,” Ms Simson said.
“The 14 recommendations must be urgently actioned.
“Funding remains farmers’ primary concern and they are expecting the government to deliver on its pre-election commitment for sustainable, long-term biosecurity funding in [October’s] federal budget.”
The NFF was one of eight industry partners involved in the review.