What is biosecurity?

 

Biosecurity is the management of risks that prevent, responds and recovers seriously damaged weeds, diseases, contaminants and pests.

 

Why do we need it? Well, without biosecurity all chaos will reign on the farm, diseases will break out, and pests would invade, attacking the farm animals. Well...we don’t want that do we, which is why various programs are designed to address these issues.

 

And who is responsible for biosecurity? EVERYONE. (this includes YOU reading this now)

​

​

We as a community have to work together to play OUR role in reducing biosecurity risks. That's right! TOGETHER. By doing simple things such as:

• Taking steps to prevent pest, diseases, or weeds from entering and spreading. Phew, don’t want that X(

• Reporting anything you see unusual to the NSW DPI. So keep your eyes peeled -__-

• Participating in incursions and biosecurity emergencies, because we need all the help we need, the more the merrier!! ^-^

• Spotting risks such as discarding unwanted plants, buying imported seeds or even carrying harmful pests and diseases on cars or clothing. 

• Understanding biosecurity, there's no harm in learning :)

• Following farm rules when visiting e.g not touching animals, cleaning boots, not visiting when ill etc. it's tempting... But hold it in.

So look before you leap and make wise decisions to help maintain biosecurity.

 

Heres a video by the NSW Department of primary industries about our duty towards biosecurity

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, now calm, I know it seems like a big responsibility, but remember, we are all in this TOGETHER,  meaning we still have may farming practices taken by farmers to maintain biosecurity these practices. What farming practices you may be thinking? Well farming practices such as:

• Managing water quality

• Using the right farming chemicals

• Monitoring crops to identify newly spawned pests and diseases.

​

​

It’s a big job, isn’t it?  How do farmers manage to do all this plus taking care of other farm jobs? Well, farmers have an amazing skill to manage their job responsibly by taking upon many other practices such as:

• Establishing a monitoring program and continually recording results

• Fill out surveillance record sheets as much as possible

• Identifying pest and diseases that aren’t wanted before setting up surveillance

• Consulting with neighbours on any issues 

 

​

 

How our farmers, government and researchers are all working together to reduce the biosecurity risk ?

 

We’ve already gone through how farmers help reduce biosecurity risks, but how do they work TOGETHER with researchers and the government to maintain biosecurity. If you don’t already know Australia has a reputation our safe and good quality meat. 

 

​

Animal Health Australia (AHA) is a non-for-profit company thats helps protect the animal health and sustainability of Australia’s livestock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Through their effective partnerships, they are able to provide a biosecurity plan, that gives information on developing farm biosecurity. It also supplies measures used to mitigate the risks of disease entry or spread biosecurity. Animal Health Australia allows Australia to keep their reputation for a clean, healthy and disease-free agricultural production systems!

 

MLA is a public company that fosters, Australian red meat and livestock industry. Being a service provider, they are responsible for managing animal health research programs.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

They also incorporate these results into the property animal health plan. Therefore, this enables improves Australia’s wellbeing of livestock and will also address the current issue of community concern. MLA maintains growing demand for red meat and fosters the long-term prosperity overseas!

 

 

How are farmers in the sheep industry protecting their own properties and wider industry from biosecurity breaches?

Biosecurity means the maintenance of freedom from pests and diseases. The consequence of a serious disease outbreak puts not only the individual properties at risk but also could affect the wider sheep industry!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​
 

Therefore, by implementing a clearly documented set of disease prevention and control strategies,  farmers can reduce the risk of disease entering and spreading within their own properties. :)

​

​

Sheep arriving on the property: 

Introducing foreign sheep poses the greatest risk of disease introduction. This is because while sheep can appear to be healthy on the outside, they could be carrying a range of diseases, including external and internal parasites, as well as a variety of noxious weed seeds.

This risk associated with buying infected sheep cannot be totally eliminated, but it can be significantly reduced by making careful enquiries and obtaining a signed declaration of the health status of the sheep

 

 

 

 

 

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weed control :

By using isolation areas and planned stock movements, it is possible to confine disease or pests to a specific area. This area can then be either cropped or grazed by non-target species until the incursion has been dealt with or a sufficient time period has elapsed to ensure that the disease agent on the soil or on pasture no longer poses a risk.

​

Visitors to the farm :

The entry of people, vehicles and agricultural equipment also carries the risk of introducing disease and weed seeds. However, measures can be easily placed, such as the strategic placement of notice, on the entry gate of the farm. This can help ensure that all visitors check in at the homestead or office before having contact with the farm and livestock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disinfection of footwear and wearing clean outer clothing should become routine practice for personnel arriving for work on the farm. This is particularly important if workers have been on other farming enterprises and have had contact with other stock.

Vehicles and machinery coming onto the farm should also be cleaned prior to arrival and then sprayed with a suitable disinfectant. The undercarriage should be carefully inspected to ensure the complete removal of soil and weed seeds. Vehicles not required for specific operations on the farm should be left at the residence and travel undertaken in the farm vehicles.

​

CHECK OUT WHAT THE YR 9'S BIOSECURITY INFOGRAPHICS FOR OUR SCHOOL 

​

​

​

​