$2.9 million biosecurity boost to prepare for Territory’s greatest threats
The Territory Government has announced an immediate $2.9 million biosecurity boost, to prepare the Territory’s agribusiness industries to respond to increasing biosecurity threats which would have devastating consequences for our agricultural sector and regional economies.
This investment is in addition, to the Budget 2022 commitment of $1.9 million bringing the total biosecurity package to $4.8 million this financial year.
With the very real threat of Lumpy Skin Disease and Foot and Mouth disease, as well as the detection of Japanese Encephalitis, Banana Freckle, American Serpentine Leafminer and Mango Shoot Looper in the Territory in the last year – preparation is paramount.
The Territory’s beef industry, currently worth $1.2 billion, would face devastating impacts if Foot and Mouth Disease or Lumpy Skin Disease, were to be detected in the NT.
This package will support pastoralists and supply chain operators to put in place biosecurity and business continuity plans to underpin their emergency animal disease preparedness.
The Territory Labor Government’s investment will deliver an important boost for:
- industry training and preparedness programs
- new biosecurity systems to link with national reporting systems
- building plant biosecurity capacity to prepare for and manage incursions
- emergency response planning and exercising.
The Territory has been working with the Australian Government, national partners and in particular, our northern Australian counterparts, to collaborate on minimising the potential risks and impacts to our critical agribusiness sectors and downstream businesses.
The Territory Government’s investment, complements an Australian Government commitment to fund a northern Australia emergency animal disease coordination network to bring together all our resources across the north to look out for and respond to new livestock pests and diseases.
