A new program to strengthen South Australia’s farm biosecurity and animal health management was officially launched today at the Eyre Peninsula Field Days.
One Biosecurity will assist farmers manage, protect and promote their on-farm biosecurity, and was developed by Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) in collaboration with Livestock SA.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone said the launch of One Biosecurity further enhances South Australia’s reputation as a leader in biosecurity.
“Biosecurity is at the forefront of the Marshall Liberal Government’s agenda to grow agriculture it ensures our farmers will continue to have preferred access to vital export markets,” said Minister Whetstone.
“Through this program, South Australia’s livestock industry will deliver improved traceability of stock movements and animal health status, giving our industry greater credibility when marketing our healthy and safe products overseas. This program will support the industry to be proactive against uncontrolled disease spread and encourage better disease reporting.
“I encourage all our State’s beef, dairy and sheep producers to sign up and become a One Biosecurity producer. The more One Biosecurity producers, the stronger the program becomes and the greater protection it will offer for a sector that’s worth $5.5 billion to South Australia.
“The Marshall Liberal Government is committed to working to build a more profitable livestock sector and One Biosecurity will be a key tool in driving a stronger future.”
Livestock SA president Joe Keynes said One Biosecurity offers producers a smarter, practical and more effective way of enhancing and promoting good biosecurity practices and animal health management.
“Today’s launch is the long-awaited result of years of consultation including a recent six-month producer-led trial of the new program,” said Mr Keynes.
“It will place the South Australian livestock industry as a leader in addressing and meeting market expectations for transparency and traceability both internationally and within Australia.
“Agents and prospective buyers will also be able to use the One Biosecurity portal to search for sellers of a specific class of animal or with a specified biosecurity status – allowing them to make safer, more informed livestock purchasing decisions.”
One Biosecurity allows livestock producers to create an online business profile, with details of their farming enterprises, biosecurity practices and disease management, as well as quickly generate a government and industry endorsed biosecurity plan for their property.
Through the program there will also be a verification system, managed by PIRSA, which will see online checks of producer claims as well as random and targeted on-farm assessments.
Producers are encouraged to visit onebiosecurity.pir.sa.gov.au to register or for further information.
