Biosecurity Matters Edition 1, 2024

Friday, March 8, 2024


Biosecurity Matters
Edition 1, 2024

We're back for 2024, bringing you the latest biosecurity news and updates!

In this exciting edition, we're featuring women in biosecurity in recognition of International Women's Day.

Learn about the launch of the National Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Plan, the makeover of Spot the robot dog, a game-changing solution to tackle khapra beetle and the ballast water pilot.

We're also sharing some promising news about the maritime recycling risk assessment trial and 'keep a TopWatch!' campaign video as well as the importance of staying alert to hitchhiker pests.
 

International Women's Day 2024

On International Women's Day 2024 we're inspired by the many women working across Australia's agricultural industries.

Over 88,000 women work in Australia's agriculture sector – nearly one third of our workforce – so we value the inclusion of women in agriculture across all areas of our organisation. 

We spoke to women across the nation, in departmental roles as well as key industry figures. Learn more about each of the women who inspire inclusion and what they had to say about their part in this vast and diverse sector of Australia's economy. 
Read more

National Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Plan launches

On 8 February 2024, we launched the National Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Plan. It supports the National Biosecurity Strategy and aligns with our vision of a connected, resilient, and shared national biosecurity system that protects Australia.

Read more

Biosecurity is the new... yellow

Our beloved robot dog Spot has had a makeover. For the last 18 months, the Innovation Pilots team has travelled far and wide with Spot, showcasing his skills in helping his human friends undertake routine surveillance activities, detect potential biosecurity risk materials and improving workplace safety. After all his hard work, the team has given Spot some well-earned TLC.

Read more

A game-changing solution to tackle khapra beetle

We're collaborating with Murdoch University to explore the use of ethyl formate as an alternative to methyl bromide for controlling and eradicating khapra beetle at the Australian border.
Read more

Keep a TopWatch! for avian influenza

Outbreaks of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), or bird flu, are on the rise globally. HPAI is a highly contagious disease that affect poultry and birds, and it can spread to other species, including humans.

Australia is currently free of HPAI, however we need to remain vigilant for any signs of the disease, particularly in northern Australia.
Read more

Ballast water pilot achieves promising results 

Last July, our Innovation Pilots and Marine and Aquatic Biosecurity teams began a ballast water pilot. They compared two ballast water sampling kits. The goal of the pilot was to assess if existing sampling kits can save money and enable our biosecurity officers to sample and test water in-house.
Read more

Maritime recycling risk assessment trial begins

An exciting partnership has started between the department and the Australian Maritime Security Authority to undertake a maritime recycling risk assessment trial (MRRAT).
 
Running until June 2024, it's hoped the trial will help reduce the volume of biosecurity low-risk garbage sent to landfill.
Read more

Stay alert to hitchhiker pests 

Do you work with newly imported sea containers or goods? If yes, keep an eye out for exotic pests!

Serious pests can hitch a ride to Australia in and on sea containers and in imported goods. Even the smallest bug can have huge impacts. 
Read more
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