30 August 2024
The Environment and Invasives Committee (EIC) met in person in Brisbane on Friday 30 August 2024.
Members noted that this will be Dr Nigel Ainsworth’s last face-to-face meeting as EIC Chair. The Committee thanked Dr Ainsworth for his contribution in his time as Chair and welcomed Enrico Perotti, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, as the incoming Chair, commencing in January 2025.
The Committee also recognised Andreas Glanznig, Chief Executive, Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, and thanked him for his input over the last 6 years as a formal observer.
National code of practice and standard operating procedures for the effective and humane control of feral pigs
The Committee noted the significant progress with developing the National Code of Practice (CoP) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Effective and Humane Management of Feral Pigs. The CoP and SOP is expected to be finalised by October 2025.
National preparedness plan: Asian black-spined toad
The Committee endorsed the National Preparedness Plan: Asian black-spined toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus) Version 1.0. The Committee noted the toad has not yet established in Australia but is rated as a high-risk species. The National Preparedness Plan provides information and procedures that can be used to prevent, plan and respond to Asian black-spined toad incursions in Australia. The Plan will be published on PestSmart, ‘New and emerging pest animal threats’ toolkit.
Risk Assessment Coordinator continuation
The Risk Assessment Coordinator is hosted by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, South Australia. The Coordinator’s primary role is to undertake risk assessments to determine the threat category of non-indigenous vertebrate for addition to the Australian List of Threat Categories of Non-indigenous Vertebrates. The Committee agreed for the Risk Assessment Coordinator position to be continued for a further two years full-time under a cost share agreement.
Sharing of Border Interception data to inform preparedness activities
The Committee noted that border interception data is a critical component of national invasives species preparedness planning. Members discussed ways to share environmental biosecurity interception data, which could be used to inform biosecurity preparedness planning for invasive environmental threats, including those listed on the Exotic Environmental Pest List (EEPL).
National priority list of exotic environmental pests, weeds and disease Action plan and review
The national priority list of Exotic Environmental Pest Diseases and Weeds List helps to direct and prioritise environmental biosecurity preparedness activities.
The Committee discussed the approach for the review of the List and the development of an Action Plan and noted that EIC will have input into the prioritisation process and review the draft list prior to the revised EEPL being sent to the National Biosecurity Committee for endorsement.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)
A dedicated HPAI Preparedness Taskforce has been set up by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, the Department of Health and Aged Care and the National Emergency Management Agency.
The taskforce has been established for an initial period and is working closely with state and territory agencies, Wildlife Health Australia, Animal Health Australia, industry and other groups, to coordinate national preparedness efforts and investments.
This is to ensure a whole-of-government and One Health approach to this cross-sectoral disease threat.
The Committee received an update on the key activities the HPAI Taskforce, including recent and planned preparedness exercises. The Committee noted the harmonised engagement on this issue across all sectors and acknowledged the significant work being undertaken by all to prepare and respond to the HPAI threat.
National Carp control plan
The Committee noted that work on the Carp Biological Control program is progressing.
EIC technical working groups
The EIC technical working groups (Weeds Working Group; Terrestrial Vertebrates Working Group; Terrestrial Invertebrates Working Group, Freshwater Vertebrates and Invertebrates Working Group and Environmental Biosecurity Advisory Group) took the opportunity to outline the priorities in each of their workplans. The Committee acknowledged work under the existing work plans and noted major achievements, including opening nominations for nationally significant weeds on 12 August 2024, following development of the nomination and assessment process.
Next meeting
The Committee will next meet face-to-face in February/March 2025 in New South Wales.