Contemporary legislation to strengthen protections for South Australia’s $18.5 billion primary industries from pests, diseases and other biosecurity threats has passed both houses of State Parliament.
The South Australia Government has introduced the Biosecurity Bill 2024 as part of its legislative reform agenda, aiming to modernise the management of biosecurity risks.
The new legislation consolidates several existing Acts, including the Plant Health Act 2009, Livestock Act 1997, Dog Fence Act 1946, and Impounding Act 1920. This will enhance consistency across animal, plant, and environmental biosecurity management while providing a flexible framework to address both current and emerging challenges.
Amendments have also been made to the Fisheries Management Act 2007 and the Phylloxera and Grape Industry Act 1995.
A key feature of the Bill is the principle of shared responsibility for biosecurity, placing a general duty on industry, government, and the community to take reasonable steps to manage risks. It emphasises that everyone has a role in protecting the state.
For the livestock sector, the Bill formalises the State Government’s ongoing commitment to match prescribed industry contributions for the Dog Fence Board, which manages the 2,150-kilometre South Australian section of the Dog Fence.
“The passing of the new biosecurity legislation is a significant milestone in strengthening the protections for our state’s $18.5 billion primary industries and agribusinesses against existing and emerging biosecurity challenges,” said Clare Scriven, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development.
“Biosecurity regulatory reform has been occurring around the country and these changes provide South Australia with a contemporary legislative framework to ensure we remain a strong link in the national system.”
Biosecurity is crucial for market access, ensuring the safe supply of agricultural, fisheries, and forestry products to local, interstate, and international markets. This includes the use of traceability systems to verify the health status, origin, and movement of goods through the supply chain.
The Bill also highlights the environmental and social importance of protecting South Australia’s unique flora, fauna, and public amenities from biosecurity threats.
Recent biosecurity incidents, such as the detection of Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis, ongoing fruit fly management, the recent Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus in the Northern Adelaide Plains, and the presence of Avian Influenza and Varroa Mite interstate, have underscored the need for robust legislation.
The Bill follows five years of extensive development and consultation, with stakeholder and public feedback incorporated into the final version.