Do you have a proactive, up-to-date biosecurity plan for your farm?
Can you list three preventative measures you have in place to reduce the risk of pests or disease entering your farm? If you were to find something suspicious today, do you know what you would do and who you would call?
Australia's biosecurity system faces unprecedented pressures at our borders, in our regions and at the farm gate. Every farmer and supply chain business has a critical role to play in protecting our biosecurity integrity, and responding to pest and disease incursions.
Last week, farmers, scientists and policy makers gathered for the inaugural Australian Biosecurity Symposium. The Symposium focused on preventative, innovative biosecurity practices across all species and environments.
Although the Symposium was exploring new technologies and practice change to advance our national biosecurity, there is a raft of practical biosecurity procedures and technologies we can put in place right now to protect the health of our plants and animals, and safeguard our businesses.
It doesn't matter whether you farm livestock, horticulture, bees or trees, there will be pest and disease threats you need to be aware of, manage for and respond to.
'Farm Biosecurity' is a joint initiative between Animal Health Australia and Plant Health Australia. The website, farmbiosecurity.com.au is a great place to find biosecurity information for your farming system, create a biosecurity toolkit, and download specialised templates to get your started.
I also strongly recommend you attend a free Stock Sense biosecurity event next time one is held in your area. These are really practical events that bring together a group of animal health experts to talk on a range of topics relevant to your farming operation.
- David Jochinke, VFF president
