How environmental biosecurity is everyone’s business
ANCIENT mountain ranges, sweeping outback plains, mighty rivers and pristine coastlines.
Australia is known the world over for our wide-open spaces, national parks, beautiful beaches, incredible wildlife and fresh air.
These are all things that make us unique.
Our rich and delicate biodiversity is made up of more than 600,000 organisms, and many are not found anywhere else on earth.
These irreplaceable environmental assets underpin our $90 billion agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries, and the international trade that comes from them.
They also provide our food, enhance our health, and allow our economy to prosper.
In fact, you could say that our way of life depends on our incredible land, sea and aquatic environments.
But these spectacular spaces and even our own backyards are at risk from invasive species, for instance imagine an Australia without gum trees
Gum trees under attack
The Myrtaceae is the largest plant family in Australia and are a defining feature of Australia’s forests, bushlands, parks and backyards.
All our most-recognisable eucalypts are in the Myrtaceae family, as well as tea trees, lilly pillies, bottle brushes, and many more iconic species.
The problem we face is that these species are under attack by an exotic disease that could change the Australian landscape forever.
That disease is Myrtle Rust which is now threatening to wipe out at least 15 rainforest tree species.
It was first discovered in 2010 and since then it has spread across eastern states , Tasmania and parts of Western Australia.
Our native flora and fauna
We are home to so many incredible creatures found nowhere else on earth.
Our unique flora and fauna evolved in isolation, surviving and flourishing because of the delicate, intricate relationships in our natural ecosystems.
These plants and animals are synonymous with Australia.
We use many of them on emblems and name sporting teams after them because they represent our culture and heritage.
People come from all over the planet to marvel at them.
In the year ending June 2024, our $60 billion tourism sector showcased these amazing plants and animals to over 7.4 million international visitors.
But many of these species are under threat.
Since European settlement around 100 native species have become extinct, largely due to the impact of invasive species. Invasive species out-compete and prey on native ones.
They also destroy habitats, changing the balance of biodiversity and the landscapes we love.
Protecting outdoors
By protecting our iconic plants and animals, environmental biosecurity also protects the outdoorsy way of life we love.
Some exotic pests, if they became widespread, could stop us from enjoying the simple pleasures we take for granted, like going barefoot in the backyard, or having a BBQ picnic in the park, or kicking the footy around on the local oval.
The Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis Invicta) are some of the world’s most serious invasive species and one we should do everything to eradicate.
They are a menace to agriculture and make public spaces unusable.
They can even attack and kill small birds and reptiles.
Bites from these ants are extremely painful, especially because ants tend to swarm and all sting at once.
People have died from anaphylaxis after being stung.
How invasive species enter Australia
Australia is an island continent, surrounded by a vast ocean, so it’s difficult for invasive species to reach our shores of their own accord.
Some of the invasive species that do the most damage are animals that were brought here deliberately many years ago, before the term environmental biosecurity even existed.
For instance, feral deer, foxes, rabbits and European carp were introduced by humans. Now, these have become established environmental pests.
These days, there are so many ways these pests can enter and the pressure on the border is increasing
On average, each year Australia receives 2.5m shipping containers, 90,000 international aircraft, 22m passengers, 19,000 commercial vessels and 144m incoming mail items.
These numbers are predicted to steadily rise.
In addition, global pressures such as climate change, pollution and land degradation are increasing the movement of invasive species around the world, altering their predicted pathways.
Australia can expect to face a new array of invasive species as these impacts continue.
Keeping exotic pests out
We work hard to keep exotic invasive species out of Australia.
This protects our unique eco-systems, amazing plants and animals and our way of life. It also allows agricultural industries to be thriving and productive.
Our biosecurity system is a continuum.
This means we work to keep pests out before they get to our shores, at the border and within Australia.
How we keep pests out
- We work with neighbouring countries to enhance their biosecurity practices.
- We prepare for the potential incursions of invasive species not yet in Australia, so we are ready to respond as needed.
- We have strong biosecurity measures at the border, including inspections and stiff penalties for doing the wrong thing.
- We engage in surveillance so we can detect pests as soon as they arrive.
- We partner with First Nations people, whose connection to Country and stewardship of natural resources has helped to protect Australia for thousands of years.
- We collaborate with biosecurity leaders in government, industry and the community.
- We make sure that our policy decisions are underpinned by the best available science.
Biosecurity is everyone’s business
Everyone, at every level, plays a role.
For example, states and territories take the lead during a biosecurity outbreak within their borders.
They are also responsible for enforcing domestic regulations.
Industry groups and environmental organisations help with coordination, capacity building and foster biosecurity awareness.
Research organisations equip us with the best available science.
Citizen scientists collect data, helping us detect pests within our borders.
How you can help
When you are hiking, diving, camping, gardening or doing anything outdoors, look out for invasive species. If you spot something unusual report it.
Always follow biosecurity guidelines when travelling or shopping online.
Together, let’s make sure Australia’s unique environment–the plants, animals and eco-systems that we love–is available for future generations, too.
