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Department of Agriculture

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  1. Home
  2. Biosecurity and trade
  3. Biosecurity
  4. Biosecurity in Australia
  5. Reform of the biosecurity system

Sidebar first - Biosecurity

  • Biosecurity in Australia
    • Biosecurity Advanced Analytics Capability
    • Detector dogs
    • Innovative Biosecurity 3D X-ray Project
    • Modernising Australia’s approach to managing established pests and diseases of national significance: Discussion paper
    • Northern biosecurity
      • Aquatic pest biosecurity community awareness
      • Biosecurity-it’s everyone’s business virtual reality experience
      • Country Handle with Care - Costa and dirtgirl Tackle Biosecurity
      • Frontline-northern biosecurity’s community song
      • Avian influenza awareness – Keep a TopWatch!
      • Lumpy skin disease awareness – Keep a TopWatch!
      • Rabies Awareness - Keep a Top Watch!
      • Report a pest, weed or disease in Northern Australia
      • You can be a Biosecurity Champion too!
        • Developing industry and supporting local growers
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    • Pest and disease surveillance at Australia’s borders
    • Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area Biosecurity Strategy

Reform of the biosecurity system

Australia is facing significant and evolving threats posed by exotic pests and diseases across multiple import pathways. These pests and diseases could have devastating effects on agricultural industries, the environment, trade and export market access, our economy and our way of life if they were to establish here. At the same time, supply chains are becoming more complex as international trade volumes continue to grow, which places increased pressure on the biosecurity system.

The department is looking at ways to reform the biosecurity system to strengthen our ability to keep out these pests and diseases, while minimising regulatory burden and enabling goods to be moved across the border quickly and efficiently.  

Partnering with industry

The success of our biosecurity system relies on all parties working collaboratively.  

Partnering with industry and other stakeholders to design, pilot and implement system improvements will  be critical to achieving reform and assuring continued confidence in the management of biosecurity and imported food risks.

As an initial step, the department hosted two roundtables with a broad cross section of the import sector in February 2021 to discuss delays in the delivery of biosecurity services at the border, and potential opportunities for co-designed reform.  Attendees identified a range of quick wins to relieve some immediate pressures, with smaller groups to be established to progress this work. 

Meeting communique and detailed summaries are available below. 

Proof of concept trial of new importer arrangements for imported cargo

The department is trialling new industry arrangements to test end-to-end management of biosecurity risks across importer supply chains. Initially, four pilots are being run as part of the trial. If successful, the pilots will lead to more permanent arrangements that will reduce red tape and regulatory costs for importers.

For more information on progress of the pilots.  

Download

Document Pages File size
Meeting Summary – Biosecurity Import Supply Chain Roundtable – Importers PPTPDF Icon 8 424 KB
Meeting Summary – Biosecurity Import Supply Chain Roundtable – Importers DOCX Word Icon 6 79 KB
Meeting Summary – Biosecurity Import Supply Chain Roundtable – Industry Associations PPTPDF Icon 9 330 KB
Meeting Summary – Biosecurity Import Supply Chain Roundtable – Industry Associations DOCXWord Icon 7 82 KB

If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility for assistance.

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Page last updated: 29 September 2021

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

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