THE state government is seeking feedback on its plans for a new Biosecurity Act covering plant and animal pests and how to prevent them or minimise their spread.
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Primary Industries & Regional Development Minister David Basham said the proposed new Act was designed to create new opportunities for the primary industries sector, reduce red tape, drive down costs and better align with national and interstate approaches.
"A strong and effective biosecurity system is vital for protecting South Australia's reputation for exceptional food, wine and fibre," he said.
Biosecurity is everyone's responsibility whether you are a farmer, a fisher, a backyard fruit and vegetable grower, a food manufacturer, a transporter, a tourist or a member of the community.
- DAVID BASHAM
"We enjoy relative freedom from many pests and diseases that plague farmers elsewhere in the world and this makes our producers more competitive and provides access to premium local and international markets.
"Every year threats of pests and diseases increase on our borders, and our practices and laws need to keep up to protect our crops and products.
Mr Basham said the $15.2 billion primary industries and agribusiness industry is the backbone of SA's economy supporting 76,000 jobs across the state and everything must be done to protect this.
" We want to hear from you, to ensure that we develop modern, simple, and more effective laws which will give us the tools to protect SA from these evolving biosecurity threats," he said.
"Biosecurity is everyone's responsibility whether you are a farmer, a fisher, a backyard fruit and vegetable grower, a food manufacturer, a transporter, a tourist or a member of the community.
"The new Act will ensure everyone understands and acts on their shared responsibility to protect the State by preventing, eliminating and minimising the spread of pest and disease."
The six-week public consultation will close on Tuesday, November 24.
Details: pir.sa.gov.au/biosecurity-act
