3.2.7 Biosecurity

Key Knowledge: the role of national and property biosecurity measures and laws governing Australian agriculture and horticulture. 

National and State Legislation

Laws provide the legal authority for the government to stop, inspect, and treat goods that might carry a risk to our food and fibre industries.

National Legislation: Biosecurity Act 2015

This is the most important biosecurity law in Australia. It is managed by the federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

• Role: It gives the government the power to manage biosecurity risks at the Australian border. This includes inspecting international post, luggage, and commercial shipping containers.

• Function: It allows for the quarantine of animals or plants and sets the rules for what can and cannot be brought into the country to prevent the entry of exotic threats like foot and mouth disease.

State Legislation: Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994

While the federal government looks after the national border, state laws such as the Plant Biosecurity Act and the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (CaLP act) control how pests and diseases are managed within  Victoria.

• Role: The CaLP act: 

  • defines roles and responsibilities and regulates the management of noxious weeds and pest animals

  • prohibits the movement and sale of noxious weeds of all categories anywhere in the state

  • covers weed seeds occurring as contaminants in seed lots, plant products or on vehicles, machinery or animals

  • regulates the importation, keeping, selling and releasing of declared pest animals

• Function:  to protect primary production, Crown land, the environment, and community health from the effects of declared noxious weeds and pest animals

PRACTICE:
Complete the following research tasks. Your answers should be between one sentence and one paragraph long.

The Federal Border

Visit the Australian Border Force website (the "Can you bring it in" page). Identify one specific item (food, plant, or animal product) that is strictly prohibited from being brought into Australia by visitors. Explain the specific pest or disease risk associated with that item and in your answer, include the agricultural or horticultural industry that could be affected.

State Movement

Research the Victorian Plant Biosecurity Act. Find an example of a prohibited movement within Victoria (such as moving fruit into a specific region). Explain why the Victorian government restricts the movement of this specific item.

PRACTICE:

The PIC System

Search for Property Identification Codes (PIC) on the Agriculture Victoria website. Describe what a PIC is and explain why it is a legal requirement for someone to have one even if they only own a few head of livestock as a hobby.

The Farm Gate

Find a digital example of a  farm biosecurity sign used in Australia (any state or territory is fine). List two specific instructions usually found on these signs and explain how these instructions help a farmer maintain biosecurity on their property.

PRACTICE:

Check Your Understanding

What is the primary role of the federal Biosecurity Act 2015?

Why is a farm biosecurity sign at the front gate considered a "physical" or "cultural" control measure?

Explain why a contractor should wash their vehicle before moving from one farm to another.

PRACTICE:

Exam-Style Questions

Q1 (2 Marks)

Describe the difference between the role of the federal government (DAFF) and the Victorian state government in managing biosecurity.

Q 2 (2 Marks)

A farmer discovers a new, unknown insect eating her crops.

Explain the specific biosecurity action she must take and why this action is important for the wider agricultural industry.

Exam/SAC tips:

When answering questions about biosecurity laws and measures, students often confuse federal and state roles. To gain full marks, you must match the authority to the location:

National/Federal (DAFF): Focus your answer on the Border. If the question mentions an airport, an international shipping port, imported livestock or goods arriving from overseas, the correct legal reference is the Biosecurity Act 2015.

State/Property (Agriculture Victoria): Focus your answer on movement and identification. If the question mentions the control of noxious weeds or pest animals within or into Victoria, the correct reference is the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 whereas moving fruit between Victorian regions is covered by other state legislation such as the Plant Biosecurity Act.

Vocabulary Check: Get used to using the term traceability when discussing PICs or livestock records. It is one of the specific words examiners mighht look for to describe the ability to track a disease back to its source. (We will learn more about this in another Area of Study.)