Ag Ministers support new plan to strengthen national biosecurity

Agriculture Ministers have endorsed the National Biosecurity Strategy Action Plan to protect Australians and our environment, wildlife, economy and way of life from the biosecurity threats of today and tomorrow.

This follows the 2022 release of the 10-year biosecurity strategy for Australia’s biosecurity system, and publication of the National Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Plan earlier this year.

The Action Plan sets out a collaborative and strategic approach to bolster Australia’s biosecurity system and will help guide nationwide activities, planning and investment priorities in a coordinated manner.

Working together, the Commonwealth, states and territories will deliver activities over the next two years to promote national awareness, strengthen biosecurity surveillance, expand delivery of biosecurity training across industry and environmental sectors, and strengthen our preparedness for outbreaks.

These activities reflect the vital role that all Australians and sectors play in ensuring Australia’s biosecurity system remains strong. Through a collaborative approach, they support a connected, resilient and shared national biosecurity system.

The plan has been developed in consultation with stakeholders across our biosecurity system, from government, industry, environment, research and community groups.

The Albanese Labor Government is committed to a strong biosecurity system and has committed funding of more than $1 billion over four years.

This ensures that for the first time in Australia’s history we have sustainable biosecurity funding to protect our agricultural industry, our natural environment and our way of life.

For more information about the National Biosecurity Strategy, visit National Biosecurity Strategy | Biosecurity

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP:

“The action plan approved by Agriculture Ministers will help ensure Australians continue to benefit from our strong biosecurity, and acknowledges the considerable work already underway across the biosecurity system.

“It complements the intensive efforts of federal, state and territory governments, industry, landowners and managers, First Nations communities, environmental groups and the community to strengthen our world-class biosecurity system and face the increasingly challenging biosecurity risk environment.

“As a shared responsibility, biosecurity is key to our productive agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors. It underpins our global two-way trade and is essential to protecting our unique natural environment and the way of life all Australians enjoy.”