Australia unveils new biosecurity strategy 

Plant Health Australia (PHA) has released the 2021-2031 National Plant Biosecurity Strategy (NPBS). The second-generation strategy provides a framework aimed at strengthening Australia’s plant biosecurity system over the next decade. It outlines four focus areas needed to build a “resilient and contemporary” national plant biosecurity system, according to PHA.

PHA chief executive, Sarah Corcoran, said: “Plant biosecurity risks are mounting as is the challenge of maintaining Australia’s pest free status. The strategy sets the direction for activities across the system and drives the way for effective collaboration and action by governments, plant industries and the community to protect our producers and the end-to-end supply chain.” 

The Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) will fund PHA to coordinate a NPBS Implementation Group to oversee implementation of the strategy.