A national plan to tackle evolving biosecurity threats

The Australian Government has released its second annual Commonwealth biosecurity action plan, setting out its priorities for 2023 and providing an update on vital biosecurity work undertaken in 2022.

The Commonwealth Biosecurity 2030: Action Plan 2023 provides a plan of activities to align Australia’s biosecurity system with the nine strategic actions outlined in the Commonwealth Biosecurity 2030 roadmap – a key contributor to the National Biosecurity Strategy.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Murray Watt said that biosecurity is a key priority for the government, and that the action plan outlines how the government and its partners intend to keep ever-evolving biosecurity threats from Australia’s shores.

“2022 brought biosecurity into sharp focus for many Australians, with the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Indonesia, lumpy skin disease and varroa mite each posing serious threats to our $83.1 billion agricultural industries, environment, national economy and way of life,” Minister Watt said.

“Protecting our national assets and industries requires a forward-looking, multilayered response involving strong offshore and onshore biosecurity measures, improved surveillance activities and investment in new and innovative tools to manage and detect biosecurity risks.

“The 2023 action plan delivers against these objectives, listing the specific actions we’re taking to manage these risks throughout the year. 

“It incorporates case studies of vital biosecurity work including a proof-of-concept trial for new vehicles arriving at the Port of Melbourne, an operation to target illegal imports of biosecurity risk food and urgent actions to keep invasive grain pest khapra beetle from hitchhiking into the country.”

The plan also provides updates on actions undertaken in 2022, as well as on work to address issues identified by the Inspector-General of Biosecurity and the Australian National Audit Office to ensure the biosecurity system remains fit for purpose.

“2022 was a very productive year for biosecurity, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved in collaboration with our industry and international partners.

“We’ve developed new technologies, including phone apps, to assist in pest detection and diagnostics, implemented the National eDNA Testing program to detect pests and pathogens in the environment, and improved preparedness and readiness though continued surveillance activities with the Indigenous ranger program in Northern Australia, just to name a few examples.

“Australia’s biosecurity systems are recognised as among the best in the world, and this work will ensure that we maintain our reputation as a supplier of safe, high-quality produce into the future.”

For further information on the Commonwealth Biosecurity 2030 roadmap and to download the Commonwealth Biosecurity 2030: Action Plan 2023, visit: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/policy/commonwealth-biosecurity-2030

Fast facts

• Commonwealth Biosecurity 2030, released in 2021, is the government's roadmap for building a risk-based biosecurity system that effectively, efficiently and sustainably protects Australia from exotic pests and diseases.
• The nine strategic actions in Commonwealth Biosecurity 2030 are:

1. Accelerate our efforts with key partners to create a strong, future-orientated and efficient national biosecurity system  
2. Expand offshore assurance arrangements and overseas supply chain integration 
3. Increase partnership activities with our near neighbours to build their risk management capability and continue our engagement with key international bodies 
4. Invest in a skilled and responsive workforce supported by improved regulatory tools and information 
5. Roll out advancements in detection technologies and business practice innovations 
6. Generate greater shared responsibility through improved awareness and understanding 
7. Increase offshore intelligence, research and data sourcing to support risk-based interventions, preparedness and response 
8. Lift our national preparedness, response and resilience to exotic pest and disease incursions 
9. Align our funding and investment model to emerging system needs

• According to ABARES, in 2021–22 the biosecurity system protected around $251.5 billion in vulnerable assets, including $83.1 billion in annual agricultural production, and in 2022–23 a forecast $65.9 billion in exports of agricultural, forestry and fisheries products.