Often, we get enquiries from members asking, what is the point of a biosecurity plan when people like utility companies still access our properties?
New legislation was added to the Biosecurity Act 2014 in response to unauthorised access by animal activists early last year. A biosecurity plan should first and foremost be used to manage your biosecurity risks, but the changes to Queensland legislation can also mean a biosecurity plan can also protect your property from unauthorised entry.
There are a few key points to the new legislation that producers should be aware of:
You must be registered as a biosecurity entity with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. This is the normal registration that underpins the Property Identification Code system and also gives you access to the NLIS system.
Your plan must be available for inspection by a person entering your property if requested and biosecurity signs must be in conspicuous places that clearly state a biosecurity plan is in place for your property. There is very concise language for the sign; for further information visit the DAF website.
It's important for producers to understand that your plan must contain reasonable measures for the prevention and control of biosecurity risks. A plan that simply says "NO Entry" for anyone any time is not reasonable and not enforceable. There are valid reasons some companies need to come onto your property e.g. utility companies doing maintenance checks, reading meters etc.
Your plan should contain reasonable measures that can be achieved to prevent a biosecurity risk and they must be measures that you and your staff also comply with on an everyday basis.
Utility companies entering to do maintenance checks possibly brings a risk of weed spread so your plan could include measures that will deal with that risk - e.g. they could be wash down requirements or requirements that only machinery that has been on clean country will be permitted.
Different districts will have different risks - that is why everyone's biosecurity plan needs to be contextual for your property. Putting in place control points to stop the introduction of a weed that is already present is not reasonable.
Queensland Police take farm incursions very seriously and work with the Department of Agriculture to identify and minimise the risks before they occur.
If you feel a breach of your biosecurity plan has occurred:
- Record the time, date, descriptive information and what the actions taken by the visitor that is outside their plan.
- If you feel threatened or that your property or livestock is in any danger, then ring the police on 000 if it is an emergency or PoliceLink on 131 444 if there is no immediate threat.
- If it's a contractor from a company then ring the company's head office and state the issue with the actions of the visitor.
QDO has distributed over 1000 free biosecurity signs to members. If you are a member and would like to order your free signs, contact Kerrie on 3236 2955.
