The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) has welcomed changes to Commonwealth biosecurity import conditions that will help support the State’s valuable agricultural industry.
Biosecurity and Regulation Executive Director Kevin Chennell said DAFWA had successfully negotiated changes to import conditions under the new Commonwealth Biosecurity Act (2015) to maintain WA’s unique freedom from many damaging pests and diseases.
“WA’s agriculture and food sector is free from many pests and diseases found elsewhere in the world,” Dr Chennell said.
“DAFWA has been working with the Australian Government to ensure our continued capacity to safeguard Western Australia’s biosecurity status under our State legislation and the new Commonwealth Act.”
Four priority areas of discussion involved risks to honey and table grape production, threat from the plant disease myrtle rust and the introduction of unwanted weeds.
DAFWA has sought recognition of the State’s regional area freedom differences, including placement of WA-specific conditions within the Biosecurity Import Conditions system.
“The Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has recognised the importance of these State-specific import requirements and the need to safeguard WA’s agriculture sector and its enviable biosecurity reputation, now and into the future,” Dr Chennell said.
“Honey and bee products that come into Western Australia from overseas will continue to be subject to rigorous import requirements to protect WA from European foulbrood disease.
“Provisions will remain in place to guard against myrtle rust, a serious disease that attacks and kills plants belonging to the Myrtaceae family, including eucalypts and bottlebrushes, and against unwanted weeds.”
Dr Chennell said negotiations were progressing with the Commonwealth regarding current outstanding matters around table grapes.
He thanked the Western Australian industry members who had engaged actively and clearly stated their views. He also noted the collaborative approach of Australian department officers involved.
Media contact: Jodie Thomson, media liaison +61 (0)8 9368 3937