Ahead of the state election, the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) and agricultural industry groups have warned that if gaps in the state’s biosecurity funding are not met, it will have serious effects on grocery bills and jobs.
LGAQ and agriculture peak bodies, the Queensland Farmers Federation (QFF) and Agforce, have said that there are real consequences for Queenslanders if the government gets the biosecurity balance wrong – from keeping fruit, meat and groceries safe and affordable to keeping the wheels turning on multi-billion-dollar industries.
LGAQ CEO, Alison Smith, said that with 100,000 Queensland jobs and $18.09 billion injected into the Queensland economy in the last two years, getting the biosecurity partnership right was critical for protecting rural economies, keeping food and fibre affordable and sustaining Queensland’s way of life.
“There are parts of Queensland that feed the nation, and so it is vital that they are kept pest-free and their produce remains affordable for shoppers,” Ms Smith said.
“That will require other levels of government helping to meet these costs, rather than shifting the problem down the line and onto councils as a last resort.
“Emerging and worsening threats to our biosecurity system – like risks of an exotic livestock disease incursion, growing impacts of weeds, and the spread of fire and yellow crazy ants threaten our strong agricultural industries and delicate ecosystems.
“We are seeking a new regionalised funding partnership that supports the on-going delivery of regional pest animal, disease and weed management priorities while ensuring that the growing costs for delivery are not unfairly shouldered by local governments and their communities.”
QFF CEO, Jo Sheppard, said that biosecurity risks in Queensland are expected to increase four-fold in the years ahead, which is concerning for all Queenslanders, not just agriculture.
“Unfortunately, current funding and partnership models are failing to manage the complex and increasing biosecurity risks and do not reflect the shared responsibility approach that is required if we are going to get on top of biosecurity risks now and in the future,” Ms Sheppard said.
“Safeguarding Queenslanders from the impacts of biosecurity threats, including destructive and harmful pest animals, diseases and weeds, is integral not just to protecting the future of agriculture but also to protecting the Queensland way of life, our communities, public health and our whole economy.
“QFF is calling for parties who wish to take office at the end of October to commit to elevating biosecurity across all government portfolios, commit to a significant investment in building biosecurity capacity in the regions, the establishment of regional biosecurity zones and to ensure all protected areas of land proactively meet their biosecurity and pest management obligations.”
Chair of the AgForce Biosecurity Policy Committee, Belinda Callanan, said that landholders, local communities, and local governments are significant but small parts of a much larger biosecurity system.
“All other stakeholders must shoulder their share of responsibility,” Ms Callanan said.
“Critical biosecurity outcomes will not be achieved by shifting responsibility down the chain to already struggling landholders and local governments.
“Adequate resourcing and funding are essential.”