Queensland’s agriculture sector and local councils are uniting in a powerful call-to-action, urging the state government to prioritise biosecurity.
With growing biosecurity risks on the horizon, industry and community leaders are calling on the government to work with agriculture to develop and implement an effective plan, backed by an investment commitment, that will safeguard the future of our farms, environment, and economy.
In the lead up to the State Government Election later this month, the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF), alongside peak body members Canegrowers, Cotton Australia and Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG), as well as the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ), are urging political parties to commit to prioritising a whole-of-government approach to strengthen the state’s biosecurity surveillance, preparedness and response capabilities, while also providing leadership in the management of those biosecurity risks that are already present in our State.
QFF CEO Jo Sheppard said biosecurity risks in Queensland are expected to increase by four-fold in the years ahead, which is concerning for all Queenslanders, not just agriculture.
“Unfortunately, current funding and partnership models are failing to manage the complex and increasing biosecurity risks and do not reflect the shared responsibility approach that is required if we are going to get on top of biosecurity risks now and in the future,” Ms Sheppard said.
“Safeguarding Queenslanders from the impacts of biosecurity threats, including destructive and harmful pest animals, diseases and weeds, is integral not just to protecting the future of agriculture but also to protecting the Queensland way of life, our communities, public health and our whole economy.
“In Queensland we have a range of ongoing pest incursions including fire ants, feral pigs and fall army worm, and these pests are impacting multiple, overlapping agricultural industries and communities more broadly across the state.
“QFF is calling for parties who wish to take office at the end of October to commit to elevating biosecurity across all government portfolios, commit to a significant investment in building biosecurity capacity in the regions, the establishment of regional biosecurity zones and to ensure all protected areas of land proactively meet their biosecurity and pest management obligations.”
Canegrowers CEO Dan Galligan said Queensland is under siege from invasive species that are wreaking havoc on our environment and industries.
“From fire ants and feral pigs to destructive weeds and plant diseases, the damage is escalating, yet current efforts are failing,” Mr Galligan said.
“We need stronger collaboration between industry and government, better funding for biosecurity, and more effective leadership to protect Queensland from the rising tide of invasive species before it’s too late.”
Cotton Australia General Manager Michael Murray said the importance of strong biosecurity cannot be overestimated.
“State Government investment in biosecurity is the most positive thing the Queensland government can do to protect agriculture in the state, and given the economic contribution that the sector delivers, developing and fully implementing and robust biosecurity plan is just common sense,” Mr Murray said.
Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers CEO Rachel Chambers said Queensland’s horticulture industry is strongly reliant on a robust biosecurity system for continued industry prosperity and advancement.
“Horticulture has long lobbied for an increase in biosecurity resources given the many risks looming which could shut down this $3.2 billion industry overnight,” Ms Chambers said.
“Our growers already invest their own time, money, and resources, into controlling incursions on farm. It is time our government stood behind them, supporting them with the tools and resources needed to continue to do their vitally important job of feeding our nation.”
LGAQ CEO Alison Smith said that with 100,000 Queensland jobs and $18.09 billion injected into the Queensland economy in the last two years, getting the biosecurity partnership right was critical for protecting rural economies, keeping food and fibre affordable and sustaining our way of life.
“There are parts of Queensland that feed the nation, and so it is vital that they are kept pest-free and their produce remains affordable for shoppers,” Ms Smith said.
“That will require other levels of government helping to meet these costs, rather than shifting the problem down the line and onto councils as a last resort.
“We are seeking a new regionalised funding partnership that supports the on-going delivery of regional pest animal, disease and weed management priorities while ensuring that the growing costs for delivery are not unfairly shouldered by local governments and their communities.”
Ms Sheppard added: “Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility. The additional investment announced by the LNP was welcomed and is a positive first step, but we have more work to do. We need a shared responsibility investment and delivery model if we are to position Queensland to effectively manage the increasing biosecurity risks of the future so that we can maintain our economy and quality of life,” Ms Sheppard said.
For more information about QFF’s Election Priorities and specific Biosecurity asks ahead of the State Election, visit https://www.qff.org.au/2024-election-priorities/
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Media contact:
Anna Jones
Corporate Partnerships and Communications Manager, QFF
E: partnerships@qff.org.au
P: 0481 395 623