BIOSECURITY IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY -
RISK CREATORS MUST CONTRIBUTE THEIR FAIR SHARE.
A robust biosecurity system is critical for the long-term success of the horticulture industry. Biosecurity is a shared responsibility and all interested stakeholders have a part to play in protecting Australia from harmful pests, diseases and weeds.
Currently, Queensland horticulture growers actively contribute to biosecurity protection through investments via R&D levy funds and contributions to emergency responses under deed agreements with Plant Health Australia. Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers are of the view that growers overwhelmingly bear the cost of invasive pests and diseases, despite having no control over border security. Therefore, it is the view of Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers that there is a need to shift a higher proportion of this burden onto both importers who are the primary risk creators of biosecurity incursions and the public, who derive the greatest benefit from access to imported products and an environment free from pest and disease.
Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers advocates for:
Long-term sustainable biosecurity funding, including increasing plant biosecurity agencies’ capacity and resources to combat incursions.
Fund a stocktake of industry investments across the national biosecurity system and make the results public, as recommended by the Craik Review.
Commit to an additional permanent annual allocation in funding from general revenue to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for the specific purpose of undertaking biosecurity services at the border, to reduce their reliant on cost recovery and in recognition of the enormous public benefit arising from this activity.
Adopt risk-based cost distribution models, including raising more revenue for biosecurity operations from those importing into Australia, to cover the costs of Federal Government activities at the border preventing the introduction of devastating invasive pests and diseases into Australia.
A comprehensive, resilient, and evidence-based national surveillance system to support prioritised detection of new plant pests.
Support mechanisms that deliver rapid responses to biosecurity threats or outbreaks through early detection, control and open communication between industry and government.