The Fit to trade bulletin promotes government and industry partnership across the biosecurity systems that protect and enable Western Australia's livestock businesses to trade into domestic and international markets.
Biosecurity hub a drawcard at Woolorama
The biosecurity hub within the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development display at Wagin Woolorama proved a drawcard this year, with Department and industry representatives from Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) and Livestock Biosecurity Network (LBN) staffing a joint display.
Livestock Biosecurity director Peter Gray said the biosecurity hub reflected the ongoing close collaboration between national and state industry bodies and WA government in providing the integrity systems and information needed for WA producers to maintain and maximise their markets.
“A key issue for visitors to the hub this year was to find out more about the changes to the LPA accreditation, particularly the inclusion of biosecurity plans and animal welfare modules, with Customer Services Manager for Integrity Systems Company, George Basha, on-hand to answer those queries,” Dr Gray said.
Meat and Livestock Australia’s Dr David Beatty (Program Manager – Value Chain RD&A) was also available to talk to producers about the importance of Australia’s integrity systems to our overseas customers.
“Other questions were around farm biosecurity and biosecurity plans with LBN representative Frances Gartrell assisting producers with biosecurity plan templates and information.
“More than 80 producers completed a short biosecurity quiz while at the hub and received a free biosecurity sign to put on their entrance gate to alert visitors to the importance of on-farm biosecurity measures to protect their property.
“The Department will have free farm biosecurity signs available (while stocks last) for livestock producers who complete the biosecurity quiz at field days where Livestock Biosecurity is present, including this year’s Balingup, Gidgegannup and Dowerin field days.
“Also popular at the biosecurity hub was the brands display, where more than 75 producers checked their brand details were correct and made sure they were currently registered, as well as receiving a copy of a handy common property identification code (PIC) card for abattoirs and saleyards.
“Over the two days Department field vets Dr Anna Erickson and Dr Kristine Rayner received more than 80 enquiries about the lamb deaths surveillance program, ovine brucellosis accreditation and other livestock health issues.
“Producers and other livestock industries members noted the convenience of being able to have all of their biosecurity questions answered at the one venue,” Dr Gray said.
“The Department values attendance at field days for the opportunity to get face-to-face feedback on biosecurity issues. So if you have a biosecurity question, look for the Department display at your next local field day – or contact your local DPIRD vet or biosecurity officer today.”
For more information about LPA accreditation, see the LPA website or contact the LPA Helpdesk on 1800 683 111. WA producers can also contact LBN representative Frances Gartrell on Fgartrell@lbn.org.au or 0497 700 113 with LPA and farm biosecurity queries.
For all the information you need about farm biosecurity (including ordering farm biosecurity signs or downloading the PDF to create your own farm biosecurity sign), see the farm biosecurity website.