LIVESTOCK BIOSECURITY NETWORK CSG and Biosecurity Workshop Corrie Grimmett – Regional Manager Queensland and Northern NSW

The organisation - LBN Industry initiative 3 year pilot project Officers covering all states and territories Overseen by a board of directors

Grazing BMP Benchmark (Qld) – Biosecurity Standards Only 9% of producers have a documented biosecurity plan for their farm

Why undertake planning?? Tool for benchmarking and measuring improvements Tool for negotiating arrangements with contractors/visitors Accountable record of biosecurity procedures System of documentation

Biosecurity Risks Animal health and welfare impacts Weed incursions Issues with pests Cost of production Being underprepared Loss of market confidence – residues, traceability, disease, animal welfare, food safety, ‘trendiness’

8 Priority Biosecurity Areas 1. Livestock movements, sales and purchases 2. People, vehicles and equipment 3. Livestock feed and water 4. Feral animal, pest and weed control 5. Animal health management 6. Waste control 7. Staff roles and responsibilities 8. Contingency planning and monitoring for improvement

National Farm Biosecurity Reference Manual

Tools

Plan checklists

Specific management issues  Introduction of weeds  Chemical usage (residues)  Water

Other industry specific issues…  Flag tape, wire, other objects – ingestion or entanglement  Integrity of boundaries (gates and fences)  Soil disturbance  Welfare in husbandry practices  FIFO (international) workers

People, vehicles and equipment

People, vehicles and equipment cont..

Visitor Risk Assessment

Biosecurity benefits??  Often are already familiar practices and to make formal gives accountability  Reducing impacts from endemic disease  Prevent the introduction of diseases, pests and weeds  Improved preparedness for emergency disease or pest events  Provides action plans for crisis events

Final Summary One page action plans with pictures Sometimes short-term inconvenience provides dividends Lobby together – empowerment in numbers Talk to your neighbours – find out what is happening around you (and getting away with it) Paperwork……SIGH…..

Future Directions Northern Australia

For further information