Response ready for biosecurity incidents

Biosecurity affects everyone.

Pests and diseases on animals and plants affect us both personally and economically.

A large scale, multi-state outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in cattle could cost Australia $52 billion. The effects would be widespread with businesses closing, jobs lost, and social pressures experienced by all involved.

If fire ants are left unchecked, we could face similar impacts as the US. Damage repair, medical costs, and control costs $US7 billion every year . Many people can’t enjoy their local park or even get to their clothesline due to infestations.

Working with our partners

Biosecurity Queensland leads the response to major plant or animal pest or disease outbreaks in Queensland. This may include pests and disease that affect our primary producers, environment or social amenities.

Biosecurity Queensland works throughout the biosecurity system to ensure effective surveillance, regulation, reporting, and engagement and stands ready to respond to animal and plant pest and disease incursions. We are working with our partners so that Queensland is prepared for the size, scale, and complexity of some incidents.

As an example, it has been estimated that a large-scale response to foot-and-mouth disease in Queensland would require 3000-4000 personnel with a significant range of skills and expertise.

Industry experts, goods and services suppliers like transport and logistics companies, and other government agencies would need to be involved in a large scale response. Many response roles don’t require a biosecurity background. People who are experts in their day-to-day roles or businesses and can bring that knowledge and skill into a fast-paced, incident management environment. People who have worked on responses to disasters like cyclones, floods, and fire are highly regarded as the skills and experience is transferable.

Response ready workforce

To prepare, Biosecurity Queensland will work closely with our partner organisations, local and state government agencies, industry groups, and suppliers to make sure we better understand what is needed to respond to a large scale response.