Prevention and preparedness in focus this Biosecurity Week

By Laura Thomas

Grove biosecurity is more important than ever, as demand for premium Australian olives and the industry’s reputation for quality continue to grow.

Strong national biosecurity ensures high-quality food supply, healthy farms and agriculture sector, access to export markets, a resilient economy and thriving local communities.

Driving home this very important message to olive growers – and all Australians – is National Biosecurity Week, which begins on Monday.

The event serves as an important reminder of the critical role biosecurity plays in protecting our way of life.

This year’s campaign focuses on prevention, preparedness and early action across the whole biosecurity system, encouraging all Australians to take practical action.

Plant Health Australia CEO Sarah Corcoran said the event demonstrates that biosecurity extends beyond border control and is key to protecting the Australian way of life.

“Biosecurity operates across the entire continuum, from offshore and at the border, through to our farms, waterways and communities and plays a critical role in safeguarding the health of our people, plants, animals and environment,” she said in a media release this week.

“Everyday decisions matter, whether it is what we bring into Australia, move between regions, purchase online or how we respond when something unusual is found. These actions collectively strengthen our national biosecurity system.”

“Good biosecurity is grounded in preparedness and shared responsibility. By understanding the risks, putting plans in place before an incident occurs, following established protocols and rules, implementing and maintaining good biosecurity practices and reporting concerns early, we can support early detection and reduce the impact of pests and diseases across Australia and on our food supply.”

For Australian olive growers, preparation is the key to sound biosecurity management.

Up-to-date biosecurity planning, staff education and good record keeping and reporting are all important steps in ensuring you grove and the wider agricultural industry.

Check out our checklist below and make sure you are doing your bit to strengthen our national biosecurity system for the benefit of all Australians.

Grove biosecurity checklist

• Prepare or update your grove biosecurity plan to help manage and reduce the biosecurity risks in your grove
• Know your high priority biosecurity pests
• Educate your staff
• Monitor your grove regularly – early detection is essential
• Know what to do in the event of an outbreak – respond quickly and decisively to contain the outbreak early
• Report anything unusual to the exotic pest hotline on 1800 084 881
• Keep good records
• Ensure reporting pathways are well understood and used promptly by everyone working at the grove
• Implement good grove hygiene – keep it clean, remove or compost pruning wood, disinfect pruning tools
• Enforce visitor movement requirements for people and vehicles
• Use grove biosecurity signage (available to order via the AOA website)
• Provide vehicle and fruit bin wash down facilities – arrive clean / leave clean
• Plant disease resistant varieties and avoid planting in infected soils

Get involved and help spread the word

Preparedness and shared responsibility is the foundation of good biosecurity. There’s no better time than now to help raise awareness, share tips and tricks promote training and encourage on-ground action.

Check out the National Biosecurity Week website for resources and more information.

More information

For more on biosecurity risk management for the olive industry is available on the AOA website.

Find out why biosecurity matters and how you can make a difference.

Access free biosecurity education and training via the National Biosecurity Training Hub.

Sources:
www.australianolives.com.au
www.farmbiosecurity.com.au/national-biosecurity-week
www.planthealthaustralia.com.au