NATIONAL BIOSECURITY STRATEGY CONSULTATION OPENS_RIVERLAND

• Have your say to help develop Australia’s first national biosecurity strategy
• This first phase of consultation is open until 26 November at 5 pm
• Australia’s biosecurity system is a shared responsibility and is a critical national asset.

Member for Barker Tony Pasin is encouraging those living in the Riverland to have their say to help develop Australia’s first national biosecurity strategy.

Mr Pasin said Federal and State and Territory Governments were working together through the National Biosecurity Committee, to develop a national biosecurity strategy with key partners to provide a strategic direction for the Australian biosecurity system through to 2030.

Mr Pasin has been advocating for a national fruit fly strategy and hoped that this consultation would help highlight the need for national coordination and action on the issue that underpins the pest free area of the Riverland.

“Strong and efficient biosecurity is even more important as we, and the rest of the world, respond to emerging challenges and recover our economy post-COVID.” Mr Pasin said.

“A strong biosecurity system will protect our agriculture, forestry and fisheries.”

“The rising complexity of Australia’s biosecurity environment requires new and innovative approaches for handling biosecurity into the future. As the Riverland continues to hurt from fruit fly outbreaks I want to see a nationally coordinated strategy in place to protect our nationally important pest free region.“

“The national strategy will seek to align collective efforts towards a common purpose and provide a clear commitment to prioritised action and investment. We need to ensure Australia’s biosecurity system remains fit to meet the challenges of the next decade including against fruit fly here in the Riverland,” Mr Pasin said.

Public submissions for this first phase of consultation can be lodged from 8 November 2021 until 26 November 5pm 2021 at the Have Your Say website.

ENDS.