NSW Farmers is thanking the NSW Government for amendments to the Biosecurity Act that will save the agriculture sector an estimated $2 billion annually through better pest and weed management.
On Thursday NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty introduced amendments to the Biosecurity Act 2015, which would establish the state’s first independent Biosecurity Commissioner, an important step towards improved land management.
NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said each year, weeds cost the agriculture sector about $1.8 billion, while pest animals cost about $170 million in lost productivity and control costs. And while there were existing rules about controlling pests and weeds, too often farmers were faced with problem neighbours who failed to do their part.
“We have been calling for a crackdown on pests and weeds where land managers are failing to do their duty, and we believe an independent Biosecurity Commissioner is an important part of holding them to account,” Mr Martin said.
“The frustrating thing for farmers is that we see public lands locked up and mismanaged, or we see absentee landowners fail to control pests and weeds, and it provides these breeding grounds that makes these problems worse every year.
“This puts increasing pressures on the production of food and fibre while our losses to invasive species are increasing exponentially, and that has an impact far beyond the farm gate.”
Mr Martin said NSW Farmers members warmly welcomed the promise of an independent Biosecurity Commissioner when now-Premier Chris Minns addressed them in 2022, and he thanked the Premier and the Minister for keeping that promise.
The Commissioner, supported by the NSW Department of Primary Industries, will be tasked with overseeing the management of pests and weeds in NSW, engaging with stakeholders, and then providing independent and impartial advice to the NSW Government on the effectiveness of programs. To further drive accountability, the Commissioner will report annually to Parliament on their work and the opportunities for improvement in controlling invasive species.
“Ultimately everyone has a role to play in making sure we control invasive animals and weeds, and we believe independent reporting to Parliament, greater awareness of issues, risks, and positive actions to address and improve management of pests and weeds, will lead to better outcomes in the future,” Mr Martin said.
“The Commissioner will work across agencies and portfolios, which should reduce futile efforts from those who are dealing with pests and weeds while their neighbours are not doing anything effective.
“This will also create a responsibility for whole-of-government reactions to problems identified by the Commissioner, and importantly, as time is always a critical factor in meeting biosecurity challenges, it will create an obligation to act.”
