Australia’s biosecurity system: improvements since Beale

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, has welcomed a report on the progress of reforms to Australia’s biosecurity system.

The Reform of Australia’s Biosecurity System report, released to coincide with the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) Outlook conference, details the work being done to strengthen Australia’s biosecurity system since the 2008 Beale Review.

Minister Ludwig said the reforms were delivering a modern and responsive system that facilitates trade and manages biosecurity risks.

“A strong science-based biosecurity system is vital to protect our agricultural sector from pest and disease and retain Australia’s reputation as a clean and wholesome supplier of food,” Minister Ludwig said. “Our biosecurity system also needs to meet the growing demand for imports and support expanded market access for Australia’s $35 billion agricultural export industry.

“Australia is implementing a modern biosecurity system that works offshore to stop pests and diseases reaching our shores, at the border to stop pests and diseases passing through, and onshore to minimise the impacts of pests and diseases on our productivity and environment.”

Initial moves towards a risk return model, as recommended by the Beale Review, One Biosecurity: a Working Partnership, have also resulted in productivity improvements at the border including:

• Faster vessel clearance (estimated at up to $19 million per annum savings by the shipping industry);

• Paperless processing of air cargo resulting in an estimated 25.6 working years or in excess of $1.8 million in saved industry labour costs;

• Targeted, rather than mandatory, external container inspections which have reduced truck waiting time at sea ports by an estimated 13.3 years per annum, which saves approximately 349,000 litres of fuel and 932 tonnes of carbon emissions.

Minister Ludwig said a working partnership with state and territories is critical to improved biosecurity outcomes.

“One of the key outcomes referenced in today’s report is the finalisation of the Inter-Governmental Agreement on Biosecurity signed by the Prime Minister earlier this year,” he said. “The next challenge will be replacing the century-old Quarantine Act with modern legislation, which will require the goodwill of the Australian Parliament.”

The Reform of Australia’s Biosecurity System report is available from the DAFF website.