Biosecurity blueprint to safeguard NSW agriculture
Primary producers will have the opportunity to provide feedback on a NSW Government plan to safeguard the State’s $21 billion food and fibre industry, as part of an upgraded biosecurity strategy.
Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said the purpose of the strategy is to:
- Set a clear vision for biosecurity and food safety in NSW;
- Map strategy objectives for Government, industry, and the community; and
- Outline key activities that will guide decision-making for farmers.
“The NSW Biosecurity and Food Safety Strategy 2022-2030 will be our blueprint for protecting the livelihoods, economy and environment against biosecurity and food safety risks,” Mr Saunders said.
“Biosecurity and food safety are shared responsibilities and everybody’s business.
“Recent outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease and Lumpy Skin Disease in Indonesia and varroa mite in NSW have shown us the critical need to be prepared, now and into the future.
“We have been working hard to build NSW’s capability and capacity to manage risk, invest in tools and technologies, and improve how we work together so we can better prevent and respond to threats and minimise any negative impacts.
“Your feedback and insights will help create a strategy we can deliver together to help fortify our economy, industry, environment and community for years to come.”
The strategy demonstrates a strong commitment to protecting NSW from biosecurity and food safety threats and builds on the government’s record investment of $163.9 million in biosecurity protection announced in the 2022-23 State Budget.
The draft NSW Biosecurity and Food Safety Strategy 2022-2030 is open for input online, www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/draft-bfs-strategy, until Thursday, 1 September 2022.
The Biosecurity Strategy will draw on the concept of ‘One Health’, which recognises the relationship between animal, plant and human health and the interdependencies between optimal biosecurity, food safety, and economic, social and environmental prosperity.
You can help protect NSW by reporting any suspect or unusual pests and diseases to NSW DPI via an online form or by calling the NSW DPI Biosecurity Helpline, 1800 680 244.
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