Welcome to Edition 3, 2023 of Biosecurity Matters. Our newsletter is dedicated to bringing you the latest biosecurity news and updates. | | | | Take our short survey and help us improve Biosecurity Matters! | | | | Biosecurity Protection Levy - we want to hear from you | | | From 1 July 2024, we're further strengthening our biosecurity system with the Biosecurity Protection Levy. The levy will help share the costs of delivering our biosecurity system between domestic producers. If you're an agriculture, fishery or forestry producer, we want your feedback to help us design the levy. Consultation closes 4pm, 13 October 2023. | | | Help stop the spread of marine pests | | | Keeping marine pests out of our waters and reducing their spread has never been more important. We have developed a bespoke marine pests awareness campaign targeted to port workers, marina operators and users, divers and the aquaculture industry. | | | An easier way to find out about pest and disease incursions | | | Outbreak.gov.au has had a makeover! We're making it easier for you to find information on how to respond, prevent and prepare for exotic pest and disease outbreaks in Australia. | | | Great on your plate but not as bait | | | Did you know that although supermarket prawns are safe for us to eat, they should never be used as bait? While safe for human consumption, there's a small chance that imported prawns could carry exotic diseases that could harm our marine environment. | | | Australia remains free of many severe animal diseases. To help veterinarians build their preparedness skills, we've commissioned the European Commission for the Control of foot-and-mouth disease (EuFMD) to provide training on how to respond to diseases such as FMD, lumpy skin disease and sheep and goat pox viruses. | | | Suction trap targets winged exotic pests | | | A newly developed insect trap that targets winged exotic insects is being tested before it's rolled out nationally. The trap draws winged insects out of the air in both indoor and outdoor settings, using a motorised fan to suck passing airborne insects down a mesh funnel into a collection pot. | | | Indigenous Rangers are on the front foot in protecting our marine environment, by undertaking aerial observations to spot marine debris and ghost nets. These hazards are among the most damaging types of plastic pollution found in our oceans and can entangle many marine species, causing injury or death. | | | Stop pests and diseases blooming in Australia | | | Did you know a bouquet of flowers could lead to a not-so-pretty bloom: an outbreak of plant pests or diseases? Failure to declare plant material, could cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. If you're unsure about items you're carrying, it's better to declare them. | | | |