5 March 2025
The Environment and Invasives Committee (EIC) met on 5 March 2025 in Sydney, New South Wales.
EIC reviewed the ongoing operation of National Environmental Biosecurity Response Agreement (NEBRA), current expenditure, and the upcoming 5-year review, supporting the involvement of Animal Health Australia and Plant Health Australia. A working group will be formed to draft terms of reference and a discussion paper for National Biosecurity Committee (NBC).
The Committee endorsed national guidelines for managing Corbicula fluminea, an invasive freshwater clam now present in the Brisbane River. While eradication is not feasible, the guidelines offer flexible management options for jurisdictions.
A six-month pilot was approved for Department Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to share environmental biosecurity interception data with EIC members, with reports to begin in March 2025.
EIC endorsed the National Weed Biocontrol Prioritisation Results for publication and agreed on 20 target weed species for the upcoming investment report, with final endorsement to occur out of session.
With current funding for the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) Biosecurity Alerts Service ending in 2024–25, EIC members will collaborate on an out-of-session paper to explore a shared funding model.
The Committee acknowledged the efforts of jurisdictions and the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) taskforce, noting the H5 National Management Agreement is nearing completion. Members shared tools such as dedicated websites and the Saving Our Species (SoS) birds reporting tool.
Progress on the Carp Virus Implementation Plan was noted, including Indigenous representation and ongoing engagement with the Murray-Darling Basin Authority. A field trial remains subject to regulatory and ministerial approval, and a biocontrol working group is being established.
EIC discussed the importance of emerging technologies like eDNA and identification apps, suggesting the formation of a technology working group, a science and innovation agenda, and a national policy position.
Working groups reported on their activities, and EIC agreed to review all terms of reference for consistency. New chairs were endorsed for the Terrestrial Vertebrates Working Group (TVWG) and Freshwater Vertebrates and Invertebrates Working Group (FVIWG), with a call for nominations for a subgroup chair to follow.
The Committee explored the use of machine learning for invasive ant identification, aiming to reduce reliance on manual reporting.
Finally, EIC discussed the Global Diversity Framework and its alignment with the Strategy for Nature. Implementation plans will be shared by October 2025. Updates on Threat Abatement Plans were provided, with EIC to review them before they are distributed to working groups.
For any questions about this communiqué, please email the EIC Secretariat at eic@aff.gov.au.