Australia to release first Biosecurity strategy

Australia's ability to protect itself from pests and disease is at the centre of a new national strategy agreed by federal, state and territory ministers.

At the National Rural Press Club in Canberra today, federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt will release the first National Biosecurity Strategy.

The biosecurity risks we're facing as a nation are closer and more threatening than we've seen before and that's partly due to climate change, shifting trade and travel patterns, and different land uses, Senator Watt told the ABC.

There are a number of factors that we're dealing with now as a country that we haven't seen before and that is increasing the risk of biosecurity issues for our farmers and their products. The risks include African swine fever, lumpy skin disease and foot and mouth disease, which is currently spreading through nearby Asian countries.

Senator Watt said that the new strategy would ensure governments and industry worked together to protect Australia.

He said that by aligning all key players, we can make sure everyone is working together to counter the biosecurity threats we face.

Australia receives 115 million parcels through its mail centres each year, with 2.6 million shipping containers arriving at the country's ports, according to the strategy.

The strategy focuses on six priority areas for governments, including shared biosecurity culture, stronger partnerships, highly skilled workforce, coordinated preparedness, integration supported by technology, research and data, and sustainable investment. The strategy states that funding and investment is sufficient, co-funded, targeted to our priorities, and sustainable for the long term.

It is not clear how biosecurity services will be funded.

The National Farmers' Federation has called for a sustainable funding model for Australia's biosecurity services.

The former Coalition government canceled plans to introduce a levy on shipping containers that would have raised $325 million over three years to fund biosecurity.

Fiona Simson, NFF president, said biosecurity had to be a priority after the strategy was released.

She said that a coordinated and well-resourced biosecurity system is essential to the success of our agriculture industries and will support the goal of becoming a $100 billion sector by the year 2030.

A National Biosecurity Strategy was agreed to in 2018 after a National Biosecurity Statement was agreed to.

Senator Watt said that they'll give credit to the former government for beginning this process.

I have made finalising this strategy and reaching collaboration with the states and territories an early priority for me as the new minister.