Queensland’s agriculture sector and local councils have united in a powerful call-to-action, urging the state government to prioritise biosecurity.

Cotton Australia’s Michael Murray joined representatives from the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF), Canegrowers, and Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG), as well as the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ), in urging political parties to commit to prioritising a whole-of-government campaign of action.

All agreed that governments need to strengthen the state’s biosecurity surveillance, preparedness and response capabilities, while also providing leadership in the management of those biosecurity risks that are already present in our State.

All representatives attended a media conference on the issue calling on the government to work with agriculture to develop and implement an effective plan, backed by an investment commitment, that will safeguard the future of our farms, environment, and economy.

Mr Murray told the media the importance of strong biosecurity cannot be overestimated. “State Government investment in biosecurity is the most positive thing the Queensland government can do to protect agriculture in the state, and given the economic contribution that the sector delivers, developing and fully implementing and robust biosecurity plan is just common sense,” Mr Murray said.

Read the full media release.