6 years ago
Guarding the north against pests and diseases
David Littleproud MP
- Northern Australia Biosecurity Surveillance Significant Disease Investigation Network launched
- It will improve collaboration between animal health experts to better safeguard Northern
- Australia’s livestock industries from pests and diseases
- The network is an Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper initiative
- Northern Australian livestock industries will benefit from a ‘northern guard’ to strengthen the surveillance of diseases and pests such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and screw-worm fly.
- The Coalition Government launched the Northern Australia Biosecurity Surveillance Significant Disease Investigation Network in Townsville today during a two day Masterclass.
- Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources David Littleproud said a large scale Foot and Mouth outbreak would be a disaster for the agriculture industry.
- “A Foot and Mouth outbreak could cost the national economy up to $52 billion over 10 years, so it is vital we do everything in our power to guard against pests and diseases,” Minister Littleproud said.
- “The Masterclass will combine the expertise of over 30 vets from across northern Western Australia, Queensland and Northern Territory.
- “This financial year the Coalition Government is spending around $783 million on strengthening Australia’s biosecurity – an increase of over 29 per cent since we came to office in 2013.”
- Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Matt Canavan said the launch of the network was great news for the northern Australian livestock industry, worth over $7 billion to the national economy.
- “It will help us maximise our surveillance capacity across the north to ensure we can best protect our industries and our farm productivity,” Minister Canavan said.
- “This will have benefits for farm profitability, as well as further strengthening our trade relationships.”
- Senator for Queensland Ian Macdonald said the network would support northern farmers continue the work they do every day—producing livestock that rival the best the world has to offer.
- The Coalition Government has invested up to $200 million to strengthen our biosecurity system through the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper, on top of an additional $100 million to fight pests and weeds.