Biosecurity must be our ‘business as usual’

As farmers, we understand that there are certain aspects of our business that are beyond our control, such as the weather or milk prices. However, we can take proactive measures to prepare for negative situations and minimise any impacts on our business.

Biosecurity risks facing Victorian farmers are ever present. I believe it is important for us all to keep in mind that no farm business is exempt from the possibility of biosecurity disruption and impact. It is critical that we be aware of the risks and take appropriate precautions to protect our businesses.

Two of the most significant biosecurity risks that could potentially devastate our industry are, of course, lumpy skin disease and foot and mouth disease.

Each has demonstrated an ability to establish and spread across borders. While we hope that these diseases do not enter Australia, we must prepare for the possibility and take measures to minimise the risk if there is an incursion.

This means that biosecurity should be a part of our ‘business as usual’ approach to protect business continuity through times of disaster.

The Biosecurity Strategy for Victoria was launched last November, and it outlines five overarching goals and 20 actions that aim to safeguard the state against pests and diseases.

The strategy was formed through extensive engagement with Traditional Owners and nearly 450 stakeholders covering all aspects of Victoria’s biosecurity system — from farmers and industry groups to land managers and emergency management agencies.

The goals include building better partnerships with key stakeholders, strengthening the state’s capacity to prepare and respond to emergencies, and identifying more ways the government can support Victoria’s biosecurity system as a whole.

One of the key goals is to strengthen partnerships through improved collaboration to achieve better biosecurity outcomes.

At WestVic Dairy, we are currently working with Agriculture Victoria on delivering biosecurity sessions that will help farmers best prepare for potential biosecurity threats.

The sessions aim to address and discuss the current state of emergency animal disease risk to Australian agriculture, what is being done beyond the farm gate to prevent an animal disease incursion, how we can prepare for a biosecurity threat, and how your current farm biosecurity management can influence the risk of disease and pest outbreaks.

Another key goal of the biosecurity plan is to ‘broaden the basis of preparedness and response’. Here in the south-west, we are also building strong partnerships in order to best respond to a regional emergency like an animal disease outbreak.

The Industry Leadership Group, formed in 2016 in response to the industry circumstances that year, has biosecurity and other emergency possibilities high on its priority list.

Members of the group include WestVic Dairy, Agriculture Victoria, local dairy processing reps, local government, regional agencies and farmer advocacy body representatives.

It is reassuring to know that various parts of the industry in the region are proactively working together ahead of emergencies to ensure a timely, coordinated, cohesive approach when an emergency arises.

Each action an individual takes or does not take, is important to the industry’s ability to maintain profitable production, protect animal welfare, and maintain social licence.

Working together, we can best continue to protect our dairy industry and Australian agriculture from biosecurity risks. To learn more about Victoria’s Biosecurity Strategy, visit: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/protecting-victoria/strengthening-victorias-biosecurity-system-program/biosecurity-strategy-for-victoria

As always, we’re available to speak with any farmer, so please reach out to me or other directors to share your thoughts, raise concerns, or propose ideas.

Finally, I hope you all get to enjoy a good autumn break.

Brendan Rea is the WestVic Dairy chair.