Decade of Biosecurity Bulletin
February 2024
These articles are sourced from the February 2024 Edition of the Decade of Biosecurity Bulletin.
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New Sustainable Biosecurity Funding Advisory Panel Announced
On 28 February 2024 federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt announced the formation of a new Sustainable Biosecurity Funding Advisory Panel. This panel will give stakeholders greater input into biosecurity priorities and improve transparency for biosecurity funding.
Decade of Biosecurity partners Invasive Species Council, Freight and Trade Alliance (FTA) Pty Ltd, National Farmers' Federation, Plant Health Australia's Industry Forum and Animal Health Australia's Industry Forum have been invited to be part of this panel.
"As one of the broader goals of the Decade of Biosecurity 2030 project plan is to ensure sustainable investment mechanisms are in place by 2030, this announcement is a step in the right direction," said Andrew Cox, Invasive Species Council CEO and chair of the Decade of Biosecurity Steering Group.
"By bringing key producer and trade representatives together, it reinforces the message that these goals are not mutually exclusive and provides Australia with a unique opportunity to be a global leader of biosecurity best practice underpinned by long-term sustainable funding," said Sal Milici, General Manager, Trade Policy and Operations at Freight and Trade Alliance.
The 3rd Australian Biosecurity Symposium is making waves!
The 3rd Australian Biosecurity Symposium will be held at Seaworld Resort on the Gold Coast from 27 - 29 August 2024. The tagline Innovative, Immersive, Inclusive embodies the essence of our event.
As Australia's premier biosecurity event, this symposium serves as a perfect platform to explore transformative approaches for Australia's biosecurity systems that will safeguard our economy and food security, preserve our environment and protect our way of life.
We invite abstracts for presentations that promote the exchange of knowledge and ideas across the biosecurity spectrum - from agriculture to wildlife, aquatic humans and the environment.
Abstract submissions close Sunday 31 March 2024 so don't miss the boat!
Early bird registrations are currently open with discounted tickets for community NGO, charity, self-employed and group bookings. A range of exciting sponsorship and exhibition opportunities are also available!
The last two Symposiums have been a resounding success, and we are thrilled to welcome back TV personality, educator, Decade of Biosecurity Ambassador and all-round biosecurity champion, Costa Georgiadis to MC the event.
Your hosts, the Biosecurity Collective, comprising of Animal Health Australia, Invasive Species Council, Centre for Invasive Species Solutions and Plant Health Australia can't wait to SEA you there!
Visit www.biosym.com.au for more information
Sterile fruit flies' important role
South Australia acts as an important geographic buffer between two of horticulture's most destructive pests -- Mediterranean fruit fly, or Medfly (Ceratitis capitata) endemic to Western Australia, and Queensland fruit fly, or Qfly (Bactrocera tryoni) endemic to the eastern states.
As the only mainland state able to claim 'fruit fly free' status, with no established populations, SA's current eradication effort against long-running and complex Qfly outbreaks in its Riverland region is being closely watched by domestic and international trading partners.
Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is an essential part of the eradication response program, and the National SIT production facility in Port Augusta, managed by SA's Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), recently reached the milestone of supplying the more than 1 billion sterile Qfly released over the Riverland since outbreaks began in December 2020.
Production has doubled from 20 million a week to 40 million since a $3 million expansion in 2023, funded under the Federal Government's $30 million Building Resilience to Manage Fruit Fly package with additional contributions from PIRSA and Citrus SA.
Meanwhile, through February and March 2024 PIRSA is taking preventative action against Medfly following the detection of a single wild fly in an Adelaide suburb in November 2023. Pupae sourced from Western Australia's Medfly SIT facility in South Perth will be reared out (grown to adult flies) locally, then released from a low-flying plane over metropolitan Adelaide, at a rate of 6 million a week for six weeks.
Learn more here.
Tasmania's inaugural Biosecurity Awards
Nic Hansen and Robyn Lewis have been named as the winners of the first ever Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards at a ceremony on 6 December 2023 at Parliament House.
The Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards were developed to honour individuals within industries and communities that have made a significant contribution to the state's biosecurity with two categories up for grabs, the Tasmanian Community Biosecurity Award and the Tasmanian Industry Biosecurity Award.
Robyn Lewis was the winner of the Tasmanian Community Biosecurity Award for her significant involvement in the management and conservation of the Milford Forest.
Over the years Robyn has successfully implemented strong biosecurity measures on the Milford Forest property. Among other things including surveys, research and conservation work, Robyn has worked with many external contractors, researchers, tourists and other visitors, to educate those who access the property on good biosecurity practices.
Nic Hansen was the winner of the Tasmanian Industry Biosecurity Award for his avid support of the development and improvement of biosecurity in Tasmania.
Nic has worked closely with Horticulture Australia and the National Fruit Fly Council on biosecurity matters and regulation as well as being involved in the 2018 fruit fly emergency response in Tasmania.
Congratulations Nic and Robyn! You are true biosecurity champions!
Read the full media release here.
National workshop on aerial shooting of vertebrate pest animals
The national workshop on aerial shooting for vertebrate pest animals (donkeys, camels, goats, deer, pigs, horses) was attended by 75 people from all states and territories on 20 - 21 February 2024.
The workshop attendees learnt about programs, challenges, best practice and emerging methods and technologies (especially thermal technologies) from across the country. Particular interest was around training, building cross-country capacity in the face of future emergency responses, and building best practice operations, as well as better ways to engage communities and share the load.
The event was hosted by WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, SA Department of Primary Industries and Regions, and the National Feral Deer and Feral Pig Coordinator Programs (both funded by the federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry).
Visit the following websites for further information:
Deer: feraldeerplan.org.au
Pigs: feralpigs.com.au
Wild dogs: wilddogplan.org.au
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Gabrielle
[City] NSW
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