The Australian Government has announced an investment of $2.8 million to bolster Northern Australia’s biosecurity capabilities.
The investment will see the establishment of the Northern Australia Plant Capacity and Response Network (NAPCaRN) to better detect, prepare, and respond to biosecurity threats, like black sigatoka, Asian citrus psyllid, and citrus canker.
The Northern Territory Government will coordinate this, with assistance from the Queensland and Western Australian governments.
The Network will invest in more frontline employees in each northern jurisdiction, including technical staff and interns.
Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt stated that threats from plants and pests were continually evolving.
“There’s all sorts of ways pests and diseases can make their way in – on travellers, in parcels or even blown in on the wind. We have to make sure we detect these threats early to stop the spread, in order to protect our nation’s agricultural industry, natural environmental assets and lifestyle,” Minister Watt said.
“NAPCaRN will operate as an inter-jurisdictional plant biosecurity network to tackle plant biosecurity threats in partnership with industry and communities. The investment will integrate resources and actions of industry and four governments through the appointment of nine positions—significantly bolstering biosecurity risk management across the north,” the Minister added.
According to him, it will improve Australia’s ability to identify and respond in Northern Australia. Additionally, it will boost collaborations with industry and First Nationals people, improve local biosecurity leadership and mentorship, and establish a recruitment pipeline for biosecurity agencies.
Northern Territory Minister for Agribusiness and Fisheries Paul Kirby commented, “Our agriculture sector is one of the country’s most important, in terms of mass, production, economy and lifestyle, and ensuring that as a nation, we have the best protections in place is integral to our lifestyle and the future of the industry.”
“The NAPCaRN collaboration is an important one for all Australians, as well as the Territory’s place on the national biosecurity front, in strengthening our relationships, knowledge and efforts in protecting our agricultural assets,” Minister Kirby added.
Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner welcomed the additional resources, noting it will be critical in strengthening Queensland’s biosecurity defences.
“The extra funding and staff being provided through NAPCaRN complements the Palaszczuk Government’s own increased biosecurity investment, which includes an extra 15 new permanent jobs within Biosecurity Queensland,” Minister Furner said.
“We’re also investing $21.7 million over 5 years, and $2.8 million each year thereafter, for action against current and emerging plant pests and diseases which is in addition to $22 million over 5 years, and $2.5 million each year thereafter, already announced to address increasing animal biosecurity risks,” Minister Furner added.
Western Australian Food and Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis also welcomed the Federal Government’s initiative.
“We look forward to working in collaboration with the Federal, Northern Territory and Queensland governments through NAPCaRN to tackle the ongoing and increasing biosecurity risks that Australia faces,” Minister Jarvis said.
The announcement builds on the current biosecurity effort already underway in Northern Australia, which includes:
- Establishing the $4 million Northern Australia Coordination Network last October to enhance surveillance and preparedness for foot and mouth disease (FMD) and lumpy skin disease (LSD)
- Ongoing support in the Indigenous Biosecurity Rangers Program, which provides crucial surveillance for the early detection of biosecurity risks along Australia’s northern coastline
- Biosecurity Business Grants for Indigenous companies, groups or other organisations working with Indigenous people to boost biosecurity business prospects in Northern Australia.
The NAPCaRN was created in collaboration with the Plant Technical Working Group of the Northern Australia Biosecurity Strategy (NABS), which comprises members from Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Plant Health Australia.
