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26 September 2023.

AgForce is very aware of producer concerns relating to the threats of exotic animal diseases and the need to ensure adequate measures are in place to protect Australia’s borders.

AgForce is also aware that significant gaps exist in North-west Queensland, for personnel trained in an understanding of biosecurity.  

These concerns are the reason why AgForce’s Elected Members and staff engage with all levels of government and other industry organisations, contributing to active discussions to improve policies, protocols and procedures relating to biosecurity.    

As an example, AgForce and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries hosted a workshop in Cloncurry during April of this year, to specifically discuss biosecurity and personnel in North-west Queensland. The workshop concluded with 5 recommendations, these being:

  1. The need to employ a contractor or contractors to fulfill a number of key roles, to be effective immediately with a focus on:
    1. Raising awareness of Biosecurity issues, especially Emergency Animal Disease preparedness and response; and
    2. Fulfill the responsibilities of a Queensland government Biosecurity Officer until a long-term solution is in place.
  2.  The need to employ two fulltime Biosecurity Officers as soon as possible; and construct/provide appropriate career pathways and training for these positions.
  3.  To recruit and train a taskforce of skilled people across North Queensland, to include:
    1. Producers, NRM staff, veterinarians, livestock agents, transporters and others involved in the beef industry;
    2. Formation of a specialist hub in the region; and
    3. Provision of ongoing training.
  4. To investigate practical technology and to pilot technological approaches in the region:
    1. Utilising technology to address problems relating to disease identification, distance and remoteness; and
    2. Utilising technology to provide innovative approaches to awareness raising and training.
  5. To design and implement an integrated approach to biosecurity in the region involving all levels of government, industry and community:
    1. Engaging producers, federal, state and local governments, NRM bodies and industry organisations such as AgForce and MLA in development of a framework for an integrated approach to biosecurity and implement this framework.

Additionally, AgForce repeatedly recommends strategies to the Government aimed at encouraging young people who are capable, keen and smart, but not necessarily yet qualified, to take on regional professional roles through initiatives like cadetships, traineeships, scholarships to support tertiary study; coupled with generous housing and living support.

It is through efforts such as these that AgForce are attempting to help the Queensland government to close the gaps in biosecurity staffing, to meet the needs of Queensland’s primary producers.

To start meeting above-mentioned Recommendation 3, AgForce is promoting Biosecurity Queensland’s Biosecurity Response Readiness Training in Cloncurry on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. This training is to improve awareness of biosecurity and to upskill primary producers in the event of an emergency animal disease occurrence. Click here to register your interest to attend this training workshop.