New priorities outlined in war to keep exotic pest species at bay

The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to reduce the
risk of exotic environment pest species entering and becoming established in Australia.

Acting on a recommendation of the 2017 review of Australia’s
biosecurity system, the Government this week published a National Priority List
of Exotic Environmental Pests, Weeds and Diseases.

The list prioritises national actions to help prevent the
entry, establishment and spread of exotic pests, weeds, and diseases.

Federal Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency
Management David Littleproud says the listed species “pose a serious risk to
Australia’s environment, our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, and
the Australian tourism sector – with many also impacting on agricultural
production.

“The Priority List was agreed by state and territory
governments [and] provides a national-level focus to raise awareness, guide
surveillance activities, strengthen preparedness and response capabilities and
inform research.”

Click here for more information about the National Priority List of Exotic Environmental Pests, Weeds and Diseases.  

Activities already underway to reduce the risk of exotic
environment pests entering Australia and colonising Australia include:

• Developing diagnostics capabilities for
  hard-to-detect species such as new strains of myrtle rust, a disease that can
  kills trees and forests;
• Examination of incoming cargo and mail using
  sophisticated x-ray systems is being engineered to detect and stop smuggled
  pest animals and plants at the border; and
• Targeting of Priority List species through the
  National Border Surveillance program.