GrainGrowers welcomes today’s announcement from the Prime Minister and the Minister for Agriculture regarding significant investment in Australia’s biosecurity system. It is a welcome boost to the country’s biosecurity frontline response with funding for staff training and diagnostic equipment that applies the latest information and communication technologies.
With agriculture set the bold target of achieving $100 billion in farm gate output by 2030, securing future farm-gate values underlines the need for continued investment in Australia’s world renowned biosecurity system.
Recent interceptions of the Khapra beetle pest highlights how Australia’s biosecurity systems must be able to adapt to counter emerging threats. If established, a Khapra beetle infestation could cost the grains sector up to $15.5b over the next twenty years. Australia currently maintains a pest-free status and greater investment allows for rapid diagnostics and more targeted surveillance to be performed in the field, leading to increased operational security.
“This announcement from the Prime Minister and the Minister for Agriculture is welcome news for grain growers across Australia. It is critical that our farms be kept disease and pest free, and this investment demonstrates that the Australian Government recognises the seriousness and importance of a robust and innovative biosecurity program for Australian farmers.” said Brett Hosking, GrainGrowers Chair.
The control of weeds, pests and diseases already established in Australia costs Australian grain growers over $5 billion each year. This includes the loses and costs of managing diseases at $1.4 billion, weeds and herbicide resistance over $3.3 billion and invertebrate pests of over $360 million.
“GrainGrowers has been calling for Australia’s biosecurity objectives to be supported through an ongoing process of risk mitigation and promotion of improvements to biosecurity measures, including improvements to surveillance, diagnostics, reporting and management of pests.” said Hosking “We welcome the investment measures announced today by the Government and look forward to other agricultural announcements in next week’s budget.”
