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By Mary Goode
Thursday, 18/12/2008
AQIS and Biosecurity Australia will merge as part of a major overhaul to Australia's biosecurity system.It's one of 84 recommendations from the Beale review of Australia's quarantine system, released by the Federal Government.As well, a council of experts will be set up and a new position will be created with the power to investigate whether the department is working well enough.It also recommends replacing the Quarantine Act of 1908 with a new Biosecurity Act.Federal agriculture minister Tony Burke says despite concern from the apple and pear industry a national authority will work well. "Ah what there would be though, and this what the apple and pear industry would want to bear in mind, import risk assessments will be dealt with by a seperate organisation that will be the Biosecurity Standards Commission," he says.The report says Australia's biosecurity agencies are under-funded and suggests the government spend $260m per year, funded by tax payers and business. As well as $225m to upgrade information technology and business systems.Mr Burke says an increase in biosecurity measures will see farmers contribute a bit to that."The cost recovery guidelines would result in that, that's true," he says."It will also result in a bigger contribution from the Commonwealth as well."The NFF says it supports most of the recommendations, but further consultation with industry is vital.The opposition says the overhaul will see exporters stung by an extra $144million over four years.
In this report: Tony Burke, federal agriculture minister.
Thursday, 18/12/2008
AQIS and Biosecurity Australia will merge as part of a major overhaul to Australia's biosecurity system.It's one of 84 recommendations from the Beale review of Australia's quarantine system, released by the Federal Government.As well, a council of experts will be set up and a new position will be created with the power to investigate whether the department is working well enough.It also recommends replacing the Quarantine Act of 1908 with a new Biosecurity Act.Federal agriculture minister Tony Burke says despite concern from the apple and pear industry a national authority will work well. "Ah what there would be though, and this what the apple and pear industry would want to bear in mind, import risk assessments will be dealt with by a seperate organisation that will be the Biosecurity Standards Commission," he says.The report says Australia's biosecurity agencies are under-funded and suggests the government spend $260m per year, funded by tax payers and business. As well as $225m to upgrade information technology and business systems.Mr Burke says an increase in biosecurity measures will see farmers contribute a bit to that."The cost recovery guidelines would result in that, that's true," he says."It will also result in a bigger contribution from the Commonwealth as well."The NFF says it supports most of the recommendations, but further consultation with industry is vital.The opposition says the overhaul will see exporters stung by an extra $144million over four years.
In this report: Tony Burke, federal agriculture minister.
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