FLOWERING CANOLA PUTS SHARED BIOSECURITY WEEK RESPONSIBILITY IN FOCUS
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This National Biosecurity Week, Grain Producers Australia (GPA) is reminding Australians that protecting the nation’s $26 billion grains industry starts with simple decisions, including staying out of picturesque canola crops flowering across the country.
National Biosecurity Week, held from 24 to 30 August, highlights the role everyone plays in preventing, preparing for and responding to biosecurity threats.
GPA Chair and Moree grain producer Matthew Madden said biosecurity was an everyday part of farming and critical to protecting Australia’s food supply, regional communities and export markets.
Mr Madden and GPA CEO Duncan Bremner caught up with New South Wales Grains Biosecurity Officer Kate Glastonbury at AgQuip last week to discuss current biosecurity priorities and practical ways to reduce risks on-farm.
“Growers are on the frontline of Australia’s plant biosecurity system and invest significant time and money managing weeds, pests and diseases,” Mr Madden said.
“Our conversation with Kate at AgQuip reinforced the importance of growers knowing what is normal in their paddocks, monitoring crops and reporting anything unusual.
“National Biosecurity Week is a chance to recognise the people working across industry and government to protect Australian agriculture, but biosecurity is something growers practise every day.”
Mr Madden said flowering canola crops provided a timely example of how the wider community could support growers and avoid creating unnecessary biosecurity risks.
“Canola makes a spectacular backdrop for a photograph, but it is also a valuable crop, private property and part of a working farm,” he said.
“Entering a paddock without permission can introduce or spread weeds, pests and diseases through contaminated soil, seed or plant material carried on footwear, clothing, vehicles or equipment.
“We are asking people to enjoy the view from a safe public location, respect farm boundaries and never enter a crop without the grower’s permission.”
As the grains industry signatory to the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed and a member of Plant Health Australia, GPA represents grain producers in national biosecurity preparedness, decision-making and emergency plant pest responses.
GPA is using National Biosecurity Week to reiterate its commitment to this responsibility and the practical work required to protect grain producers and the wider supply chain.
This includes delivering the Grains Farm Biosecurity Program in partnership with Plant Health Australia and state and territory governments. Through the program, Grains Biosecurity Officers work directly with growers and industry to strengthen awareness, surveillance, early detection, preparedness and practical biosecurity practices.
GPA also contributes to national response planning and participates in exercises that test how industry and government would respond to a serious plant pest incursion.
“Preventing a pest, weed or disease from entering or spreading is always better than trying to eradicate or manage it once it has become established,” Mr Madden said.
“Biosecurity is a shared responsibility involving growers, governments, researchers, agronomists, transporters, businesses, travellers and the wider community.
“Every practical action helps protect individual farm businesses and the productivity and reputation of the entire Australian grains industry.”
Growers can hear practical advice from Grains Biosecurity Officer Jordan Scott and GPA Farmer Mates Mental Health Ambassador Brad Hogg in GPA’s video, On-farm biosecurity advice for grain farmers.
Suspected exotic plant pests or diseases should be reported immediately to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.
More information about National Biosecurity Week is available at bioweek.org.au.
ENDS
Further information:
GPA Chair Matthew Madden: 0457 731 210
GPA Executive Officer Rachael Oxborrow: 0416 705 193
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