On The Land
9 June, 2024
Ambassadors to target biosecurity threats
A FIVE-year strategy designed to protect the state from the potentially devastating costs of introduced pests and diseases has been unveiled.
The Queensland Government has launched its second Biosecurity Strategy and also named six “Biosecurity Mates Ambassadors” from across the State to spread the message of vigilance in communities.
The strategy supports the efforts of government, industry and communities to manage and keep watch for biosecurity threats as part of a whole community effort to protect our economy, environment and our way of life.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said Queensland’s proximity to neighbouring countries, extensive coastline, climate and the increased movement of property and people meant the State was more susceptible to biosecurity threats.
“While Queensland’s biosecurity system is strong and continues to evolve, the complexity and frequency of biosecurity threats is growing,” he said.
“To protect Queensland’s economy, environment and our way of life it is imperative we take a collaborative approach to biosecurity from across the community, industry and government.
The ambassadors’ task is to drive community awareness of biosecurity targeting a number Queensland’s most unwanted biosecurity threats and drawing community attention to how pests and diseases can be successfully identified, managed and where possible eradicated.
Those threats include imported pests such as varroa mites that can devastate European bee populations in their hives, plant diseases such as Panama TR4 disease that endanger banana crops or animal diseases such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease or Lumpy Skin Disease.
