Why is biosecurity important?

Australia's biodiversity and ecosystems are among the most diverse globally and hold intrinsic value. Biosecurity plays a critical role in protecting our natural environment, unique ecosystems, agriculture, international trade, food security, and the Australian lifestyle. Numerous factors contribute to biosecurity risk: increased trade volumes, changing trade routes and goods, tourism and travel, urbanisation, climate change, biodiversity loss, and geopolitics. These challenges place significant pressure on Australia's biosecurity systems, which support health and wellbeing, resilient communities, healthy ecosystems, and sustainable food systems, making them more vulnerable to exotic and endemic pests and diseases.

For the past 25 years, Plant Health Australia (PHA) has been a trusted coordinator of the plant biosecurity system in Australia, leveraging its expertise and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to enhance biosecurity outcomes and ensure the system remains forward-focused. PHA's members encompass all major plant-industry bodies representing growers and beekeepers, as well as State and Territory governments and the Australian Government. By bringing together plant industries and governments, PHA facilitates shared responsibility for biosecurity, enabling collective efforts to address threats and prevent their introduction.

PHA is the custodian of the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD), delivering unique and valuable partnerships between plant industries and governments. The ratification of the EPPRD in 2005 significantly enhanced Australia’s capacity to respond to emergency plant pest incidents, reducing uncertainty regarding management, funding, and compensation arrangements. Key features of the Deed include co-design, co-funding, and joint decision-making, with the partnership approach and its benefits receiving international recognition.