Biosecurity in Australia: a working partnership and shared responsibility Dennis Bittisnich Biosecurity Services Group Outline • Australian agriculture in context • Biosecurity control in Australia: a brief background • PPPs in Australian biosecurity: a shared responsibility • Observations: key factors in Australian biosecurity PPPs Australian Agriculture in Context • Geographically isolated; unique flora and fauna; many climatic zones • Political federation of 8 state and territory governments under a commonwealth government • Only 10% land area is arable • 0.3% global population • 3% of global agricultural trade • Beef, wheat, wine, wool, lamb, feed, dairy Australian Agriculture in Context • Historically Australian economy “rode on the sheep’s back”; significant wool, lamb and cereal exporter • Ag nearly 30% of national GDP at peak (now 5% GDP; 60% is exported; 5:1 export:import) • Premium for “clean green” credentials; esp. from favourable animal/plant disease status • Biosecurity threats were thus high on industry, political, and trade agenda Australian Agriculture in Context • In last 10-15 years: exports levelled off; drought & international competition • Agri-food imports doubled; mostly from developing countries • International passengers and cargo doubled - globalization • Emerging/altered spread of disease • ALSO: Trading partner requirements/SPS disciplines more rigorously applied Biosecurity control in Australia • Historically public management of biosecurity (also food safety; ag R&D) seen as a government “public good” (beneficiaries diverse/industry development agenda) • Quarantine Act 1908 established stringent import conditions to reduce exotic pest/disease risks to ag industries and environment • Significant public investment in pest/disease eradication (eg. bovine TB eradication) • BUT: shift in public policy in ’90’s to adopt risk-based approaches and share cost of risk management along the production chain: shared responsibility • Also national PPP public policy adopted – public cost benefit; service levels; hi degree of governance Public private partnerships in Australian biosecurity • In a review of biosecurity arrangements (1998) government(s) and primary producers acknowledged joint responsibility to manage biosecurity costs, the key drivers being: – maximise productivity and market access – better apportion costs and benefits to private and public beneficiaries • The enabling PPP policy environment was also a key driver for establishment of two biosecurity PPPs at the national level: ¾ Animal Health Australia ¾ Plant Health Australia Plant Health Australia not for profit company established 2000 peak industry body for plant biosecurity federal & state govts; R&D bodies; and industry associations each contribute 1/3rd funds develop industry specific biosecurity plans/manuals and training undertakes biosecurity monitoring & surveillance develops emergency plans & management emergency management operates through cost sharing deed (Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed - EPPRD) industry liabilities covered (where compliant) Plant Health Australia Industry Associations AUSTRALIAN NUT INDUSTRY COUNCIL Public - private partnerships in Australian biosecurity Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed * Shared role in emergency response decision making * Sharing of eradication costs (public vs private benefits of eradication) * Fixes liabilities in advance * Reimbursement to growers for crop destruction for approved response plans * Nationally consistent and agreed approach to incursion management * Trained and accredited personnel to work on responses * Joint commitment to risk mitigation Public - private partnerships in Australian biosecurity One Biosecurity – a working partnership and shared responsibility (2008 review) • Commissioned following outbreak of Equine Influenza (2007) • Reinforced shared responsibility policies along a continuum of biosecurity (pre-border; border; post- border) • Found progress in developing biosecurity co-reg/PPP schemes was slow and administratively complex • Government committed to: • introduce wider PPP/co-reg arrangements • greater consistency in administration, auditing and responses to non-compliance • reduced burden on compliant businesses (performance-management) Observations • The success of biosecurity PPPs in Australia has relied on commercial/trade incentives; acceptance of responsibilities for shared risk; clearly identified shared benefits; and an enabling government policy environment • Having “independent” organizations coordinate stakeholder biosecurity contributes to industry ownership and shared commitment • PPPS do not remove accountability requirements of governments (agreements are transparent mitigating against cost-shifting) • Clear policies and governance arrangements are essential to the efficient and effective operation of national biosecurity PPPs • PPPs mitigate against a two-tiered approach to domestic and export biosecurity management (and outcomes) Thank ewe.