Tasmanian Country Article 22nd July - Biosecurity project confirmed
22 July 2022
Biosecurity project confirmed between TFGA and State Government
The Tasmanian Government invests $350,000 into increased biosecuity awareness and preparedness in agriculture, as a joint project with the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers (TFGA) was announced on Wednesday this week.
I am pleased to confirm the joint biosecurity project between the TFGA and the State Government this week, the project is funded to run for three years. It aims to support the continuation of enhanced on-farm biosecurity engagement within the industry and broader community on the awareness of good on-farm biosecurity practices.
It is very timely that we are launching the Government sponsored TFGA Biosecurity project this week, with Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) on our doorstep and Varroa Mite in NSW, biosecurity has never been more important.
This project will help create a focus on good biosecurity practices at all levels as well as increasing awareness of new and emerging threats. As the project develops TFGA will be collating and distributing relevant biosecurity information for further education about protecting our borders.
TFGA is working collaboratively with industry and offers Tasmanian farmers another contact point for general biosecurity questions, we will be updating our website with the latest information and supporting the farming community to proactively manage their on-farm biosecurity.
The project is intended to fund a Biosecurity Project Officer to educate farmers, the supply chain and the wider community about biosecurity risk (including current and emerging biosecurity issues, priorities and/or emergency responses) and associated practical on-farm risk mitigation strategies. Funding is also allocated for the generation and distribution of biosecurity related collateral and resources (including facilitation of workshops and other biosecurity education and engagement activities).
The project will be delivered by the TFGA working in collaboration with Biosecurity Tasmania, operating under a joint industry / government governance model – represented by a Project Steering Committee.
Marcus McShane
Acting CEO TFGA
