Biosecurity & Quarantine

It is the responsibility of our industry to develop and promote biosecurity best practice guidelines and to participate in risk mitigation activities. In 2007, the Grains Council of Australia initiated the Grains On-farm Biosecurity Program with Plant Health Australia to assist the grains industry improve awareness of farm biosecurity risks, understand reporting procedures and undertake surveillance for pest threats.

Farm biosecurity is a set of measures designed to protect a property from the entry and spread of harmful insects, diseases, weeds and other crop-damaging organisms (collectively called "pests").

Biosecurity is the responsibility of every person visiting or working on a farm and it is in the interest of all grain growers to ensure these risks are minimised by implementing simple biosecurity procedures.

Most weeds, diseases and pests are spread when machinery, equipment, livestock, fodder and seed are brought on to a farm or moved from one farm to another. You cannot quarantine your farm from all pest risks but a few routine procedures, such as having clean machinery, fodder and seed, greatly reduce the risk of introducing or spreading pests.

On-farm Progress

The program commenced with the appointment of a Grains Biosecurity Officer in WA in 2007, with additional officers to be appointed in SA and Vic in 2008 and Qld in 2008/09.

A Farm Biosecurity Plan specific to the Grains Industry has been developed within this program and is an important step in raising awareness and improving on-farm biosecurity best practice. Training and awareness material on information from the Farm Biosecurity Plan, and identification of key pest threats to the grains industry are being delivered to growers, consultants, researchers and grain company personnel.

More information on the Farm Biosecurity is available here.

Plant Health Australia

Plant Health Australia is the national coordinating body for plant based industries in Australia. It has developed guidelines that will lead to a consistent national approach to managing and reducing the risks posed by exotic plant pests and diseases.

This approach is based on developing closer industry and government partnerships, which will help to significantly reduce the risk and spread of incursions. Plant Health Australia works with industry representatives, government and research bodies to develop specific Industry Biosecurity Plans for all industry members.

Plant Health Australia has projects and activities that are undertaken in several priority areas, namely:

  • Biosecurity Planning and Implementation
  • Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed
  • National Strategies and Policy Coordination
  • Capacity and Capability
  • Engagement

More about Plant Health Australia and the on-farm biosecurity program is available here.

Farm Biosecurity Plan

You can adopt a range of easy steps to limit the spread of pests hitching a ride on people’s clothes, animals’ coats, animal manure, hay, grain, crop seed, pasture seed, vehicles, machinery and equipment.

Awareness (pest fact sheets & awareness materials)

Being aware of the top pest risks for the grains industry, and conducting a regular surveillance and reporting program helps in risk management. Early detection of a pest enables an early response.

Biosecurity Links Information on the top pest risks for the grains industry is attached below.

Policy Information