Know the biosecurity system, before a crisis hits: Industry Liaison Officer Training – DO IT NOW

By Grain Producers Australia Executive Officer Biosecurity Rachael Oxborrow 

In April, I took part in Industry Liaison Officer (ILO) training run by Plant Health Australia, in Adelaide. This training was an eye-opening experience, which provided me with detailed and practical insights into how national biosecurity responses work, and how industry members, including grain producers – through GPA as the grower representative group – fit into the important processes that need to be followed, in the event of a biosecurity incursion. 

For growers, or others on the outside, it may be easy to think an emergency response is only the domain of government reps and technical experts. But for GPA, in representing all grain producers, we have an extremely important role to play, which comes with formal responsibilities on biosecurity; not only in risk management and preparedness efforts, but especially emergency responses.   

GPA’s responsibilities representing all of Australia’s levy-paying grain producers on biosecurity are prescribed under federal legislation, as a signatory to the Emergency Pest Plant Response Deed. That is why we’ve been members of PHA, since 2004, and supports this partnership approach. GPA represents all Australian growers in these PHA processes, serving on specific management committees such as the EPPRD and the National Management Group.  

The ILO training was an excellent opportunity to step inside and see how these processes all come together, and how various arrangements play out, in practice. Especially to see how this all fits-in with GPA’s representative responsibilities for growers. This includes learning about the role industry is required to plays when a pest is declared one of national significance, and how the response structure unfolds from there. The ILO role is central to these functions, acting as the link between government and industry decisions, and real-world conditions on farms. The person performing the ILO role has responsibilities for industry in the response, especially supporting growers. 

It was also clear that having this knowledge ahead of time is an essential ingredient to success.  

As they say, ‘It's never too early to start planning for potential disasters or emergencies’. 

Waiting until a response is underway is too late. Learning how the system works ahead of time will mean growers understand how responses happen, what needs to be done and how GPA, state farming organisations and ILOs can actually contribute meaningfully, by supporting growers with the right answers and the good advice and guidance they need, when they need it most. 

GPA is one of PHA’s 38 members, who are also Industry Peak Bodies, representing growers from other plant industry sectors. From almonds, avocados and bananas, through to tea trees and truffles. HERE 

PHA really is a prime example of an organisation that’s in the business of building and maintaining strong partnerships with real common purpose – stronger biosecurity. And having State and Federal Governments seated at the same table, working with grower groups such as GPA, in these emergency response processes, and on other management programs and committees, is a key to building better engagement, which delivers on our shared responsibilities, for biosecurity.     

ILOs are not just token seats at the table. They’re critical to making sure responses are workable, timely and connected to what’s actually happening on the ground, starting on-farms. There will also be a need for more than one ILO to be working in responses, at various locations, while rotating in and out of this role, to manage fatigue and personal responsibilities.  

Participants in the Plant Health Australia Industry Liaison Officer training held in Adelaide in April.

GPA’s membership of PHA connects Australian growers directly with Federal and State Government biosecurity officials and other experts in prevention and eradication management processes. The Grains Farm Biosecurity Program also provides practical tools, information and services to improve on-farm biosecurity management and preparedness. This program includes a Grains Biosecurity Officer located in five grain growing states – WA, NSW, QLD, SA and Victoria – partnering with those State Gvoernments to provide importance resources, tools and training for growers, industry and consultants, to support awareness raising, and capacity building, on biosecurity. 

As work progresses on the Biosecurity Plan for the Australian Grains Industry, which is led by PHA and endorsed for growers, as per GPA’s representative roles, plans to upscale and upskill our grains workforces, to better understand, prepare for and respond to biosecurity issues, will continue to ramp up and evolve. That includes not only national representatives but people from state farming organisations, boards and grower support networks.

A network of trained people ready to deploy in a crisis is crucial to the future of our industry. That’s why ILO training is vitally important and something we all need to do today, not yesterday. 

Face-to-face and online training options are also available through PHA. GPA will continue building on these knowledge-sharing programs and strengthening these partnerships, finding more and better ways to engage more growers and industry representatives, to participate and educate. 

Biosecurity is not just about reacting when something goes wrong. It’s about being ready ahead of time. That starts with understanding the system. And that’s why I thoroughly recommend this ILO training to others, and encourage you to start preparing now, to develop a clearer understanding of, and better knowledge of, how the system really works. And to learn more about what your role is, and how GPA fits it, working with others, during an emergency response, when it’s really needed. 

To express your interest in ILO training or other programs, contact GPA HERE