Read the latest information on
Foot-and-mouth disease
Following the resounding success of the 2nd Australian Biosecurity Symposium in 2022, over 430 of the country’s leading innovators and influential players convened on the Gold Coast last week to network, brainstorm and unite under a common purpose to accelerate biosecurity reform.
The 3rd Australian Biosecurity Symposium provided an opportunity to share research outcomes, explore out-of-the-box thinking and exchange knowledge and ideas across the biosecurity collective – agriculture (animals and plants), pest animals, weeds, wildlife, aquatics, humans and the environment.
This year’s Symposium theme was ‘Innovation. Inclusivity. Immersion’. Australia’s biosecurity system faces unprecedented pressure. To address this pressure, strong leadership and innovation are essential. The Symposium provided the ideal platform to explore how to transform Australia’s biosecurity systems to better protect our economy, environment and way of life.
The Symposium continues the work of the Biosecurity Collective – a shared initiative consisting of Animal Health Australia (AHA), Invasive Species Council (ISC), Centre for Invasive Species Solutions (CISS) and Plant Health Australia (PHA) – to define and influence the direction of Australia’s biosecurity system towards 2030.
The two-day event coincided with the inaugural National Biosecurity Week that serves as an important reminder of the critical role biosecurity plays in protecting our environment, agricultural industries, food supply, communities and economy. The symposium brought together key decision-makers, innovative leaders and passionate researchers from across the globe to ignite new strategies, all aimed at protecting Australia’s biosecurity future. It also included the inaugural Biosecurity Youth Summit, supported by the Queensland Government.
Key initiatives that we will progress from the Symposium include:
‘This year’s symposium turnout was the largest to date with more than 430 delegates attending and listening to 128 speakers,’ Andrew Cox, CEO of the Invasive Species Council.
‘Our unified mission to protect Australia from invasive species has never been clearer. This symposium proved that by joining forces, we can drive progress.
‘Our biosecurity system depends on collaboration. We all face similar challenges and share common goals, so the symposium is a great platform for us to learn from and help each other.
‘Invasive species cost billions of dollars to agriculture and our economy each year but the impact on our environment is immeasurable – it’s everyone’s problem. Addressing this issue needs significant and continued collaboration between government, industry and community.’
Andreas Glanznig, CEO of Centre for Invasive Species Solutions said: ‘The symposium was a showcase of energy, passion and enthusiasm.
‘I am incredibly proud of yet another successful event which brought together the brightest and most passionate minds in the biosecurity space.
‘The key outcomes developed during the symposium will better define our biosecurity brand so that it’s more recognisable in this Decade of Biosecurity.
‘We are stronger and more effective when collaborating. Together we can mobilise millions of sets of eyes by eradicating fire ants and prevent disease impacting our wildlife, livestock and crops.’
Dr Samantha Allan, CEO of Animal Health Australia added: ‘I feel incredibly proud of the passion for Australia’s environment, economy and way of life that was on display throughout the symposium.
‘It is clear that our systems need to change and I am confident that with strong collaborations between like-minded organisations and government, we will be able to strengthen these for the better.
‘It was also great to see our future leaders at the inaugural Biosecurity Youth Summit that had nearly 40 high school students from around Queensland learning about the importance of a strong biosecurity system.’
Sarah Corcoran, CEO of Plant Health Australia (PHA) said: ‘The Symposium has become the event on the biosecurity calendar and showed us just how much progress can be made with strong collaboration. Although, our journey is far from over, it’s these deliberate steps that make for a stronger biosecurity future.
‘Protecting our plant industries, environment and communities from the next biosecurity threat is a complex and a continually evolving environment, bringing forth new and unparalleled challenges.
‘There was a definite buzz at the symposium with delegates expressing how energised and ready to jump into action they felt from listening to inspiring presenters, engaging with colleagues and expanding their networks. They’re determined to harness the collective strengths of embracing all facets of biosecurity and an even better biosecurity system that will protect Australia for many years to come.’
The Decade of Biosecurity members will reconvene mid-next year to ensure outcomes of the symposium are on track and ready for the challenges of 2030 and beyond.
For more information, view the symposium program at biosym.com.au
More information:
www.biosecurity2030.org.au
www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au
www.planthealthaustralia.com.au
www.invasives.com.au
www.invasives.org.au
