ALGA to get a seat at National Biosecurity Committee table

The Federal Government has released its national response to the independent review of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity (IGAB), accepting all 42 recommendations including recommendation 19 to include the ALGA CEO on the National Biosecurity Committee.

The government agreed to the recommendation in principle stating that “Ministers recognise local governments play an important role in biosecurity and are integral to successful consultation. As such, the ALGA will be invited to be an observer of the NBC.”

Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said the government’s response represents a commitment by all governments to build a stronger national biosecurity system to meet new challenges and protect Australia’s farming future.

“We’ll focus on biosecurity awareness, sustainable funding, research and innovation and managing biosecurity across all sectors,” he said.

“We need to know where the risks are to be able to deal with them more quickly.

“We are in the final stages of negotiations with state and territory governments to deliver a new IGAB and I look forward to finalising the new agreement.”

The National Biosecurity Committee (NBC) will report on ongoing and improved commitment to national biosecurity under the new agreement.

The government’s response to the full report is available at this link.