The Territory Labor Government has announced an immediate $2.9 million biosecurity boost, to prepare the Territory’s agribusiness industries to respond to increasing biosecurity threats which would have devastating consequences for our agricultural sector and regional economies.
This investment is in addition, to the Budget 2022 commitment of $1.9 million bringing the total biosecurity package to $4.8 million this financial year.
With the very real threat of Lumpy Skin Disease and Foot and Mouth disease, as well as the detection of Japanese Encephalitis, Banana Freckle, American Serpentine Leafminer and Mango Shoot Looper in the Territory in the last year – preparation is paramount.
The Territory’s beef industry, currently worth $1.2 billion, would face devastating impacts if Foot and Mouth Disease or Lumpy Skin Disease, were to be detected in the NT.
This package will support pastoralists and supply chain operators to put in place biosecurity and business continuity plans to underpin their emergency animal disease preparedness.
The Territory Labor Government’s investment will deliver an important boost for:
· industry training and preparedness programs
· new biosecurity systems to link with national reporting systems
· building plant biosecurity capacity to prepare for and manage incursions
· emergency response planning and exercising.
The Territory has been working with the Australian Government, national partners and in particular, our northern Australian counterparts, to collaborate on minimising the potential risks and impacts to our critical agribusiness sectors and downstream businesses.
The Territory Labor Government’s investment, complements an Australian Government commitment to fund a northern Australia emergency animal disease coordination network to bring together all our resources across the north to look out for and respond to new livestock pests and diseases.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agribusiness and Fisheries, Paul Kirby
“The investment will further prepare our industry and our response systems to handle the increased threats we currently face.
“Biosecurity is a shared responsibility, and it is critical that Northern Australia works together to maximise its resources to increase collective surveillance. We welcome the Australian Government’s contribution to biosecurity announced today, alongside ours.
“We need all the eyes across our landscape, to be focussed on spotting these animal diseases to protect the Territory’s billion dollar beef industry.”
Quotes attributable to CEO of the NT Cattlemens Association, Will Evans:
“It is critical that Northern Australia works together to maximise our resources to increase surveillance and response activities across the region.
“This is a vote in confidence in the industry and government working together to ensure we are best prepared to deal with these very real biosecurity threats.”
Quotes attributable to CEO of the NT Live Exporters Association, Tom Dawkins:
“We know how important our industry is to the livelihoods of not just those within our sector, but all Territorians to all Australians and our overseas customers.
“In the face of potentially disastrous biosecurity risks, this boost helps us deliver on our ongoing commitment to safeguard our livestock, the livelihoods of our supply chain workforce and the families overseas who rely on our industry for reliable access to fresh, healthy beef.
Northern Territory Government
