02 August 2021.
It was supposed to protect Queensland agriculture from the spread of plant and animal pests and diseases.
But when the Government created a fancy new farm check-in system they didn't factor in the problem of poor bush connectivity.
Now users have taken to social media to complain that it doesn't work due to a lack of mobile phone coverage in rural areas, and AgForce is urging members to trial it first.
Farm Check-In was developed by Biosecurity Queensland using a $397,000 Federal Government grant, and can be used with an online form or app.
By scanning a QR code at the farm gate, visitors access an online checklist to help them understand their general biosecurity obligation and any potential risks.
Anyone with a BQ management plan can insist on use of the farm check in app or form by visitors as a legal condition of entry to their property, but depending on local biosecurity weed and disease risks in your area, further information may be required from farm visitors such as their previous locations and visual evidence of clean machinery and vehicles.
Details of each farm visit are emailed direct to the property manager and a copy retained by the farm visitor - but only when there is mobile phone connectivity - and unfortunately there is still a long way to go when it comes to improving telecommunications services in the bush.
However, for anyone wanting to give it a go, new biosecurity management plan farm gate sign templates are available with the QR code. Please note that Biosecurity Queensland (BQ) provides the form template only and does not keep records of completed forms.
Visit Biosecurity Queensland for further information and to trial the form and app, or watch the video.