Biosecurity Queensland is urging banana growers in the region to familiarise themselves with the new Biosecurity Act 2014 and the management of Panama disease tropical race 4.
Panama TR4 Program leader Rebecca Sapuppo said growers should understand their general biosecurity obligations under the Act, especially in the presence of Panama disease.
“Under the new Act, there are some changes in terminology and requirements by property owners or occupiers when dealing with Panama disease tropical race 4 in Queensland,” she said.
“There will also be some subtle differences to the way authorised biosecurity officers carry out their duties. Officers will now seek written consent for entering properties for surveillance and growers will be asked to nominate a suitable representative to meet biosecurity officers for consent at the time of entry.”
The Panama TR4 Program has developed a number of resources specific to Panama disease tropical race 4 and the new Biosecurity Act for growers.
“Key aspects of the Biosecurity Act 2014 and fact sheets were recently sent to all growers by the Panama TR4 Program. Updates to the Grower Kit that focus on the new legislation and how it affects management of Panama disease tropical race 4 will be mailed out soon.
“Although there will be some changes under the new Act, it will largely be business as usual for banana farmers in Far North Queensland.”
Some of the important key elements of the new legislation which apply from July 1, 2016 are as follows:
Consent for entry
Biosecurity Queensland officers will be required to carry out a verbal consent process prior to entering your property for surveillance. The surveillance officers will be exercising powers under a biosecurity program, and as a result do not require consent to enter a property, however consent will always be sought prior to entry. To ensure this process is as efficient as possible the business will be asked to nominate suitable representative(s) for the business to meet our officers at the time of entry to your property.
General biosecurity obligation
Under the Biosecurity Act 2014, individuals and corporations have a general biosecurity obligation which imposes a shared responsibility to prevent or minimise biosecurity risks within their control and minimise the likelihood of causing, or limit the consequences of, a biosecurity event.
Biosecurity programs
Under the Biosecurity Act 2014, a surveillance program has been authorised by the Director-General to determine the presence and extent of Panama disease tropical race 4 within Queensland. A second surveillance program has been authorised to monitor compliance with the Act and subordinate legislation in relation to Panama disease tropical race 4 and determine whether regulatory requirements have been met.
Biosecurity Regulation 2016
The Biosecurity Regulation 2016 is the subordinate legislation to the Biosecurity Act 2014 and sets out a number of requirements in relation to Panama disease tropical race 4 and other biosecurity matter, including the establishment of biosecurity zones and movement restrictions in Queensland. A person will be in breach of their general biosecurity obligation if they fail to comply with the requirements set out in the Regulation.
Queensland biosecurity manual
The Queensland biosecurity manual outlines the actions that owners, occupiers and other people must take to minimise the risk of disease spread on an infested property or a property suspected of being infested with Panama disease tropical race 4. A person will be in breach of their general biosecurity obligation if they fail to comply with the requirements set out in the manual.
Biosecurity zones
Biosecurity zones assist in preventing the spread of biosecurity risks, including Panama disease tropical race 4.There are four biosecurity zones for the management of serious banana pests and diseases in Queensland. The Northern Banana Biosecurity Zone covers the main banana production area from north of Hope Vale to below Rollingstone to the south and operates as an exclusion zone to prevent the introduction and spread of biosecurity risks into and out of the zone.
Additional information regarding the new legislation is available online at www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au or by calling 13 25 23.
