24-25 March 2026
Communiqué
The National Biosecurity Committee (NBC) met on 24 and 25 March in Canberra. The meeting was co-chaired by Justine Saunders (Deputy Secretary, Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) and Dr Rachel Chay (Deputy Director General & Chief Biosecurity Officer, Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Primary Industries).
Day 1 – Strategic issues and reforms
Ms Saunders provided an update on national coordination efforts underway in response to the Middle East Regional Conflict, and support for the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors across Australia. The Australian Government is working together with stakeholders to address impacts and emerging needs.
The NBC considered the National Established Weed Priorities (NEWP) Assessment Report, and advice from the Environment and Invasives Committee. The Committee agreed to provide advice to Agriculture Ministers on nationally significant priority species and next steps.
Members discussed significant emerging trends in the animal biosecurity landscape including vaccination and point-of-care diagnostic disease management tools, zoning during emergency disease outbreaks, and the importance of strong national data and intelligence sharing. The NBC affirmed the importance of horizon scanning and early risk identification across all sectors of the biosecurity system.
The NBC noted the outcomes of the independent evaluation of the One Health Surveillance Initiative and agreed to consider options to support continuation of priority animal biosecurity activities.
Biosecurity workforce capacity and capability was also considered including the 12-month plan for the national biosecurity skills needs analysis project under the National Biosecurity Strategy Action Plan. The NBC noted the recommendations from the independent Veterinary Workforce Data Taskforce about options for collecting and analysing national veterinary workforce data, to better understand the challenges facing Australia’s veterinary sector. Members acknowledged that veterinary workforce responsibilities span several agencies and noted that the Commonwealth will provide the Taskforce’s recommendations to the Australian Government Senior Officials’ Committee.
The NBC discussed next steps for the national biosecurity reform agenda, agreeing on the scope, approach and criteria for the NBC sectoral committee review to ensure advisory arrangements remain fit for purpose. Opportunities to strengthen operational decision making and improve governance and information flows within existing emergency response arrangements were also considered.
Day 2 – Updates from NBC observers and sectoral committees
The NBC was updated on strategic activities and key challenges facing New Zealand Biosecurity, supporting ongoing information‑sharing on trans‑Tasman biosecurity issues. This included New Zealand’s efforts to leverage technology innovation, including Artificial Intelligence, and recent pest responses including the Auckland hornet eradication program.
Observer updates were provided by Plant Health Australia (PHA) and Animal Health Australia (AHA), including advice on their strategic priorities for 2026. These priorities include supporting national coordination on surveillance and preparedness, strengthening data and information sharing, and continuing to provide technical advice and engagement to support the national biosecurity system.
The five sectoral subcommittees - National Biosecurity Communication and Engagement Network, Animal Health Committee, Plant Health Committee, Marine Pest Sectoral Committee and Environment and Invasives Committee - also provided updates on their priorities for 2026, and ongoing work aligned to the NBC's strategic priorities and national biosecurity reforms.
As the meeting marked Dr Rachel Chay’s final face‑to‑face meeting as NBC Co‑Chair, in the context of the scheduled rotation of the jurisdictional Co‑chair, the NBC acknowledged Dr Chay’s contribution and thanked Dr Chay for leadership throughout the period. From September 2026, Mia Carbon (Deputy Director General, Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development) will assume the role of NBC Co‑Chair in accordance with the agreed rotation arrangements.
The NBC will next meet virtually on 7 May 2026, with the next face-to-face meeting scheduled for September 2026.
The National Biosecurity Committee is responsible for managing a national, strategic approach to biosecurity threats relating to plant and animal pests and diseases, marine and aquatic pests, and the impact of these on agricultural production, the environment, community wellbeing and social amenity. The Committee provides advice to the Agriculture Senior Officials Committee and the Agriculture Minister’s Forum on national biosecurity issues, and on progress in implementing the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity.
For more information, visit the National Biosecurity Committee’s website, hosted by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry