Biosecurity is the management of the risk of pests and diseases entering, emerging, establishing or spreading in Australia and causing harm to animals, plants or human health, the economy, the environment and the community.
Guarding our international gateways in 2018
One of our detector dogs on the case at the Melbourne International Mail Facility.
2018 was a very busy year for the department in stopping biosecurity threats at Australia's international airports, mail centres and cruise ship terminals.
Deputy Secretary for Biosecurity, Lyn O'Connell, said that 275,000 items were intercepted across our international airports, with a further 73,000 items intercepted at international mail centres and 2,400 items at various cruise ship terminals around Australia.
'This high rate of detection and interception highlights the importance of our frontline work in managing the risk of biosecurity threats from entering Australia,' said Ms O'Connell.
'If we had not made these interceptions Australia would be at risk of serious animal and plant pests and diseases, and exotic weeds and plants, entering our country and impacting our $60 billion agriculture industry, unique environment, native flora and fauna, tourism industry and way of life.'
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