Biosecurity Regulation update

The supporting subordinate legislation to the Biosecurity Act 2015 will shortly commence passage through the Parliamentary approval process for commencement within the next few months. The subordinate package includes the Biosecurity Regulation 2017 and the accompanying Biosecurity Order (Permitted Activities), Biosecurity (National Livestock Identification System) Regulation 2017 and Wild Dog Destruction Amendment Regulation 2017.

 

A report on the submissions received during public consultation on the Regulation has been prepared for the Legislation Review Committee. The Biosecurity Order (Permitted Activities) is being finalised in close consultation with technical staff. Once finalised, the Biosecurity Order (Permitted Activities) will enable actions that would otherwise be contrary to a requirement of the Regulation.

 

For more information about biosecurity legislation, visit the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) website.

 

Online training was launched in April with over 150 people from DPI, Local Land Services (LLS) and Local Control Authorities (LCAs) registering to start the course within the first week. The 10 module online training course is compulsory for Authorised Officers and available to other staff of DPI, LLS and LCAs who will be involved in the delivery of the Act in their day-to-day roles.

 

A program of 46 face-to-face workshops complementing the online learning commenced across New South Wales on 2 May, and will run through until the end of June. These workshops provide participants with the opportunity to apply the tools and powers of the Act through a range of scenarios across the spectrum of biosecurity issues.

 

Further education and information for the general community will also be available at a later date.

 

The Biosecurity & Food Safety stand in the Food Farm at the Sydney Royal Easter Show from 6-19 April proved its popularity among visiting school children, teachers, and families. A common theme of ‘biosecurity from the backyard to the food bowl’ was represented through a full kitchen and backyard setup.

 

The interactive stand allowed show-goers to use iPads and tour a fully equipped kitchen and backyard environment to identify and learn about biosecurity and food safety risks - eventually becoming 'Biosecurity Warriors'.

 

With simple messaging focusing on biosecurity as a shared responsibility, and the idea that managing biosecurity starts at home, the NSW DPI exhibit received great feedback all round as an educational experience for the next generation.

 

The rise of the Internet and social media has brought with it a new method of buying and selling livestock that is quick, efficient and simple. But buying livestock online can pose a number of biosecurity risks, and increases the opportunity for unwanted pests, diseases and weeds to be inadvertently spread into new areas.

 

Under the Proposed Regulation of the Biosecurity Act 2015, biosecurity in the livestock industry can be managed through the general biosecurity duty. When trading stock online, both the buyer and seller of goods have a general biosecurity duty to minimise the impact and risk of pests, diseases and weeds. The general biosecurity duty supports the concept of shared responsibility, and provides that any person who deals with biosecurity matter or a carrier, and who knows (or ought reasonably to know) of the biosecurity risk posed (or likely to be posed), has a biosecurity duty to ensure that the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised - so far as is reasonably practicable.

 

Buyer security can be enhanced by taking the following measures:

1. Hold newly bought stock in a yard for 48 hours on arrival, to ensure any weed seeds in the gut are passed
2. Hold newly bought stock in a quarantine paddock for at least a month before mixing with other livestock. During this time, stock should be closely monitored for signs of disease

DPI strongly recommends that all people who own or manage livestock develop a biosecurity plan. The FarmBiosecurity app is a useful tool for ensuring strong on-farm biosecurity, with more information available here.

 

NSW DPI recently undertook a biosecurity attitudinal research exercise to gain an understanding of attitudes towards biosecurity across both community and primary producer sectors. The findings of the research will assist with the development of strategies to increase stakeholder engagement in biosecurity issues.

 

DPI will be sharing the results of the survey with key stakeholders in the coming months and developing a range of communications tools and strategies to assist industry with increasing engagement and awareness in their own areas of biosecurity management.

 

The research approach included both qualitative case studies and quantitative surveys with regional and metro general population, primary producer and business/industry stakeholder groups. The general findings were that primary producers have a very broad understanding of what biosecurity means, with most rating the importance high with regard to affecting business sustainability, and that managing biosecurity risks is the shared responsibility of government and industry. Awareness amongst the general population of what biosecurity means highlighted that there is moderate understanding of importance of managing biosecurity in NSW with particular regard for the environmental impact and association with food safety and public health.
 

NSW DPI Biosecurity will continue to keep stakeholders updated during all stages of the commencement of the Act.

 

Email us at biosecuritylegislation@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Subscribe to this newsletter

Biosecurity and Food Safety Branch

Click here to unsubscribe.