160708, igab review · page 4 questions from the discussion paper cca comment challenges? • the...

8July2016

DrWendyCraik

Chair

IGABReviewPanel

mailto:[email protected]

DearDrCraik

RE: RESPONSETOIGABREVIEWPANEL’SDISCUSSIONPAPERAsyourPanelisaware,CattleCouncilofAustraliaisthepeaknationalbodyfortheAustralian

grass-fedcattlesector,withitsmembershipcomprisingdirectsubscribersandallStateFarmer

Organisations;theAustralianRegisteredCattleBreeders’AssociationandtheAustralianCattle

Veterinarians’AssociationareAssociateMembers.

MuchofwhatiscontainedinthisresponsetothePanel’sDiscussionPaperentitled,IsAustralia’snationalbiosecuritysystemandtheunderpinningIntergovernmentalAgreementonBiosecurityfitforthefuture?,wasconveyedtothePanelduringitsinteractiveindustrysessioninCanberraonFriday22April;thankyouforprovidingtheopportunityforthatdiscussion.

CattleCouncilnotesthisreviewisbeingconductedintwophases,withthefirstphaseinvolving

thereceivalofsubmissions.TheCouncillooksforwardtomaintainingahighlevelofinterestin

thePanel’sdeliberationsandprovidingfurtherinputifnecessaryduringthesecondphase

followingreleaseofthePanel’sdraftfindings.

Yourssincerely

forMrJedMatzChiefExecutiveOfficerAtt:CCA’sresponsetoDiscussionPaperquestions

CATTLECOUNCILOFAUSTRALIA’SRESPONSETOTHEQUESTIONSPOSEDBYTHEIGABREVIEWTEAMINITSDISCUSSION

PAPERIsAustralia’snationalbiosecuritysystemandtheunderpinningIntergovernmentalAgreementonBiosecurityfitforthe

future?

SummaryComments1. TheinitialIGAB(say,‘IGABMk1’)issupportedasanimportantfirststeptowardsformalco-ordinationofbiosecurityeffortsin

Australia.2. ‘IGABMk2’,whichpresumablywilleventuateinoneformoranotherfromthisreview,mustbeinclusiveofindustry.3. Foritspart,industrymustmarshalitsresourcestoprovidemeaningful,sustainedinputtoamorenationallyinclusive

biosecurity.4. Biosecuritycontinuestogrowinimportanceyetfundingforbiosecurityprogramscontinuestofallinrealterms;inotherwords,

biosecurityinAustraliaisfacingapotentialfundingcrisis.5. GovernmentwithdrawalfromthemanagementofendemicdiseasesinAustraliaisleadingtothedepletionofresourcesthat

couldotherwisebecalleduponintheeventofanemergencydiseaseincursion;thisisaffectingAustralia’slevelofpreparedness.6. Thereexistsscopeforimprovementsinpreparednessforemergency-diseaseandpestincursions,includingusingendemic-

diseasemanagementasa‘trainingground’,throughgreaterindustry/governmentco-ordinationandco-operationinsettingandactingonpriorities.

7. Surveillanceiscentraltoearlydetectionandpreparedness;theproductionsectoroffersanexcellentresourceforremotesurveillanceprovidedindividualsareinformed,haveaccesstohigh-qualitybroadbandforreal-timereportingandarerewardedfortheirefforts(includingrecognitionofin-kindcontributions).

8. TheFederalandjurisdictionalgovernmentscandomoreforindustrythroughregulatoryunderpinningofproducer-driveninitiativesdesignedtoimprovetheuptakeofon-farmbiosecuritypractices;thiswouldincludethecattleindustry’sLivestockBiosecurityNetwork(forextensionanddissemination)andLivestockHealthDeclarations(forseller-to-buyerinformationtransfer).

[Forthepurposesofthissubmission,“industry”primarilyreferstothelivestockindustryand“biosecurity”takesthemeaningdefinedintheIntergovernmentalAgreementonBiosecurity(IGAB):themanagementofriskstotheeconomy,theenvironment,andthebroadercommunity,ofpestsanddiseasesentering,emerging,establishingorspreading.]

SpecificResponses

QUESTIONSFROMTHEDISCUSSIONPAPER

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TheIGAB

1. IstheIGABasuitablemechanismtounderpinAustralia’snationalbiosecuritysysteminthefuture(10or20yearsfromnow)?Aretheconsolidatedpriorityareasstillappropriate?

WithintheDiscussionPaper,referenceismadetoAustralia’s“highlyregardedbiosecuritysystem”,“world-classproduce”,“preferentialmarketaccessarrangements”,“internationalreputation”,etc.Theseclaimshavebeenmadepossibleostensiblybyacombinationofthetyrannyofdistance,governmentoversightofbordersanddisease-managementprograms,andmarket-savvyproducingandexportingsectors.TheIGABhasservedtostrengthenonecomponentoftheoft-stated“sharedresponsibility”:theco-ordinationofgovernmentpolicyandresources;however,itsconstructtodatehasoverlookedindustry’srole.Inotherwords(andputtingasideAustralia’sfortunategeographicisolation),IGAB–anditsgoverningbody,NationalBiosecurityCommittee(NBC)–hasinvolvedonlytwo(thefederalandjurisdictionalgovernments)ofthethreecomponentsnecessaryforAustralia’sreputationtoremainrelativelyintact.IGAB’screationandmaintenancesince2012deserveindustrysupport:bringingtogetherthemultitudeofgovernmentsinthiscountrytoencourageaunitedpolicydirectionhelpsAustraliamatchitwithourmanyoverseascounterpartswhohavethegoodfortuneoflesslayersofgovernment.Itisnowtimethoughtoreachfurtherbyinvolvingindustrymoreformally.Suchanapproachwouldsitwellbesidenumerousothergovernment/industryjointinitiatives(e.g.,AnimalHealthAustralia(AHA),PlantHealthAustralia(PHA),SAFEMEATPartnershipandvariousexport-marketandR&Dadvisorygroups)that,anecdotally,attractoverseasenvy.InresponsetoNBC’spossibleassertionthatthelivestockindustryhasbeeninvolvedthroughAHA’sobserver-bodystatus,industryandAHAhavestatedthatAHAisnotarepresentativebodyofindustry.InfactindustrycollectivelyisonlyoneofAHA’sthreemembershipenvelopes(theothersbeingtheFederalGovernmentandjurisdictionalgovernments),withAssociateMembershipbeingafourthcategory.AHA’sIndustryForum,whichcomprisesAHA’sindustrymembersexclusively,moreappropriatelyrepresentsindustry;PHAhasasimilarstructure.Processing,agency,transportingandcargosectorsalsohavemuchtooffer.Forthelivestockindustrytoseekappropriateinvolvement,itmustensureitissufficientlyresourcedtoprovidemeaningfulandsustainedinput.AHA’sIndustryForum(AHAIF)iswellsuited,thoughpoorlyfunded,forsucharesponsibility.

2. Whatareyourviewsontheconstruct,effectiveness,andtransparencyoftheIGAB?Pleaseprovideexamples.


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3. WhatpracticalimprovementstotheIGABand/oritsstructurewouldprovideforanincreased,butaccountable,roleforindustryandthebroadercommunity?

Thisquestionisbestansweredintwoparts:interimandlongterm.Fortheinterim,AnimalHealthCouncil(AHC)andAHAIFprovideusefulexamplesofstructuresinvolvingappropriateindustry/governmentinterface.Here,therespectiveleadagencysetsasideanadequateperiodofagendatimefortheothertointerfaceatface-to-facemeetingsonimportantpolicymattersofmutualinterest.Giventhestatusofbothbodiesintermsoftheirrepresentationonbehalfoftheirrespectivemembers,thesehigh-leveldiscussionscanbequitetimelyandproductive.TheNationalCommunicationsNetwork(whichproducesnationallyconsistentpublicinformationinresponsetopestanddiseaseoutbreaks)hasrecentlyadoptedasimilarapproach.OneofthelistedPurposesoftheIGABis:Astheresponsibilityforbiosecuritymanagementisalsosharedbyindustry,naturalresourcemanagers,custodiansorusers,andthecommunity,thisAgreementanditsschedulesidentifyopportunitiesforthePartiesandthesegroupstoworktogethertostrengthenthebiosecuritysystem[Purpose2.3].Inspiteofthis,industry’spotentialinvolvementintheIGABhasbeenseriouslyunderutilised.Itisnotedthat,inreferencetotheconceptof“sharedresponsibility”andthe“biosecuritycontinuum”,thewords“industry”or“industries”appear21timesintheIGAB;itisthereforereasonabletoexpectindustryinvolvement.Intheshortterm,NBCcaninteractimmediatelybyadoptingtheAHC/AHAIFmodel.InitialmeetingscanbeusedtobringindustryuptodatewithmostthingsIGAB;usefuldiscourseshouldeventuatethereafter.Forthelonger-term,attentionisdrawntothediagramprovidedtotheReviewPanelinlateApril2016inwhichisdescribedastructureforaproposedBiosecurityConsultativeCouncil;thiswaspresentedtotheBealeReviewPanelforconsideration.Whetherornotthemodelisasrelevanttoday,theprincipleisimportant:inclusiveness.AcopyofthismodelisagainprovidedtotheIGABReviewPanel,atAppendix1.

Agreeingtorisks,prioritiesandobjectives

4. Isthegoal,andaretheobjectives,ofAustralia’snationalbiosecuritysystemstillappropriatetoaddresscurrentandfuturebiosecurity

• TheGoalofAustralia’snationalbiosecuritysystem,asstatedintheIGAB,isto:minimisetheimpactofpestsanddiseasesonAustralia’seconomy,environmentandthecommunity,withresourcestargetedtomanageriskeffectivelyacrossthecontinuum,whilefacilitatingtradeandthemovementofanimals,plants,people,goods,vectorsandvesselsto,fromandwithinAustralia.Thesystem’sGoalseemsappropriatefornowandintothefuture,provided“minimis[ing]theimpactofpestsanddiseasesonAustralia’seconomy”includespreventingincursionsofexoticpestsanddiseases.


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challenges? • TheObjectivesofthesystemasstatedintheIGABareto:providearrangements,structuresandframeworksthat:

o reducethelikelihoodofexoticpestsanddiseases,whichhavethepotentialtocausesignificantharmtotheeconomy,theenvironment,andthecommunity(includingpeople,animalsandplants),fromentering,becomingestablishedorspreadinginAustralia;

o prepareandallowforeffectiveresponsesto,andmanagementof,exoticandemergingpestsanddiseasesthatenter,establishorspreadinAustralia;and

o ensurethat,whereappropriate,significantpestsanddiseasesalreadyinAustraliaarecontained,suppressedorotherwisemanaged.

Thesystem’sObjectivesseemappropriatefornowandintothefuture,provided“arrangements,structuresandframeworks”areinclusiveofindustry.

5. Inorderofimportance,whatdoyouseeasthemostsignificantcurrentandfuturebiosecurityrisksandprioritiesforAustraliaandwhy?AreAustralia’sbiosecurityobjectivesappropriatelytailoredtomeettheseriskandpriorities?

InreferencetotheMeatIndustryStrategicPlan1,theAustralianred-meatandlivestocksectorshaveidentifiedmoneyspentonMinimisingtheimpactofemergency[and]endemicdiseasesashavingthehighestbenefit/costratioofallexpenditureitemsthroughto2020andalsoto2030.Biosecurityisthereforeindustry’shighestpriority.FootandMouthDisease(FMD)eclipsesallotherdiseasesintermsofthreatstoourindustry.Assuch,governmentsandindustryhavebeenworkingperiodicallytotestoursystemsagainstpredictedrequirementsshouldtherebeanFMDincursion.Thebasisofthisis:IfwecanhandleanFMDincursionwecanhandleanything.Althoughweareprobablybetterpreparedthanmostcountriesaroundtheworldandhavetakenlessonsfromthe2001FMDoutbreaksintheUKandUruguayandthe2010outbreaksinJapanandtheRepublicofKorea(amongothers),thereisalwaysmoretobedone.Asmentionedunder4above,biosecurityobjectivesaresufficientlytailoredtomeetthischallenge;therealquestionis:Aretheobjectivesbeingmet?Theanswerisprobably,No.Witharound200,000livestockproducersinthiscountry,tosaynothingofhorticulturalists,environmentalists,naturalists,andindigenousandothercommunities,therecome200,000pairsofeyesessentialtoacomprehensive

1http://rmac.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/150901-MISP-FINAL.pdf


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surveillancenetworkthroughoutAustralia.Theseareunderutilised.TheNationalAnimalHealthandDiagnosticsSurveillanceProgram,whichisinitsformativestages,willhelpaddresssomeofthisshortcoming,assumingitissuccessfulinimprovingawarenessamongthosepotentiallyabletocontribute.Itisalsoimportantforproducers’timebeingrecognisedastheir‘contribution-in-kind’attheveryleast.Thelivestockindustryitselfhasdonemuchtoimproveitspreparednessbut,again,moreisneeded.Asanexample,theNationalLivestockIdentificationSystem(NLIS)isaworld-leadinganimal-tracingmodelthatpotentiallyallowsforreal-timetracingoflivestockmovements–aninvaluableassetinacrisis,assumingitisfullyfunctional.UnfortunatelytheNLISsuffersfrompoorbroadbandservicesinmanyruralandremoteareasandlessthanidealretentionrates.Industry’sLivestockProductionAssuranceProgramhasgreatpotentialforraisingproducerawarenessaroundtheimportanceofon-farmbiosecurity.WorkisnowunderwaytoincludeabiosecuritymodulewithinLPAandforLPAtoincludedtheuseofLivestockHealthDeclarations.Additionally,whileindustryfundingforemergencydiseaseresponsesisaccommodated(throughthecurrentzero-ratedlevy,whichcanbetriggeredbytheFederalGovernmentifnecessary),recurrentfundingforindustry’sbiosecurityinitiativesisnearingcrisispoint.ArealexampleiswithCattleCouncil’slaudedbiosecurity-extensioninitiative,LivestockBiosecurityNetworkPtyLtd,whichisinurgentneedofadditionalfunding.(Seemoreunderpoints11to15).Fundingisthereforealsoaveryhighpriorityforindustry.

6. ArethecomponentsandfunctionsofAustralia’snationalbiosecuritysystemconsistentlyunderstoodbyallstakeholders?Ifnot,whatcouldbedonetoimprovethis?

Stakeholderunderstandingofthesystem’scomponentsandfunctionsisgaininggroundbutfromquitealowbase.Tobefair,biosecurityasaholisticconcepthasemergedonlyrelativelyrecently.Thereisstillsomedebate,forexample,aroundwhatisactuallymeantby“biosecurity”–definitionsabound.Greaterintegrationofgovernmentandstakeholderactivities,orknowledgebaseatleast,wouldassist.ThiscouldbeledfornowbyNBCunderarevisedIGABthatismoreinclusiveofnon-governmentagencies.AnexampleofindustrybecomingmoreknowledgeableabouttheFederalGovernment’sactivitiesrestswiththerecentchangestoselectingimportedgoodsforthoroughinspection:inthepast,containers/goodshavebeenrandomlyselectedforinspection,meaningimportedproductsmayormaynotbechosenforinspectionregardlessoftheirsourceanddestination;morerecentlyarisk-basedselectionprocesshasbeenadoptedthatenablesthetargetingofhigher-riskshipmentsforinspection.Governmentwouldbenefitfromkeepingindustryupdatedon


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thesuccessofthisapproachbut,otherthantheinitialannouncementacoupleofyearsago,nothinghasbeensaid.

7. Whatbenefits(orimpediments)arethereinrealisingamoreintegratednationalapproachtobiosecurity,agreedtobykeypartnersinAustralia’snationalbiosecuritysystem?

Governmentleadershiptodatehasbeenbothabenefitandanimpedimenttorealisingamoreintegratedapproach:it’sbeenabenefitbecausegovernmentshavetheresourcesandsystemstoprogresswhat’sneededinstrengtheningAustralia’sapproach;it’sbeenanimpedimentinthatithascontributedtoindustryholdingbackfrominvolvementbecause“itisallbeingtakencareofandwecancan’tafforditanyway”.Thedilemmahereisthatgovernmentsareoffsettingtheirdecreasinginvolvementwithindustrybyleaningmoreheavilyonindustryparticipation,yetindustryparticipationwillcontinuetolanguishbecauseofitslackoffundingandassociatedresourcing.The‘system’isunderconsiderablestrainthatcan’tbeeaseduntilanintegratedgovernment/industryapproachistakenandfundingshortfallsareaddressed.Increasedfundingwouldbepreferabletodecreasedbiosecurityactivities.Withtheoldadage,‘formfollowsfunction’,anall-outattemptmustbemadetostrategisestakeholders’collectivedirectionandtocorrectexistingshortfallsinfundingandresourcingtoenableoptimumprogress.Fundamentalforindustryistheexpansionoftheexistingfundingbasewithoutjeopardisingotheressentialnon-biosecurityprograms.Muchofthegrass-fedcattlesector’ssocialisedbiosecurityfundingisfunnelledthroughAHA.Inspiteofgrowingconcernsaroundbiosecuritythreatsandlackofpreparedness,cattleleviestoAHA($0.13/transaction)haveremainedunchangedsince19972,whilecostsandthedemandfornewprogramshavecontinuedtorise.Bycombiningwithgovernmentdepartmentstoeffectmoreco-ordinated,long-termcommitmentstoAustralia-widebiosecurityprograms,astrongerargumentcanbemountedforbetterresourcingforallstakeholders.

8. Whatformwouldthisbesttake(forexample,anationalstatementofintentornationalstrategy)?Whatarethekeyelementsthatmustbeincluded?Whatspecificrolesdoyouseeindustryandthebroadercommunityplayinginsuchaninitiative?

Embeddingsharedresponsibility

9. AretherolesandresponsibilitiesofstakeholdersinAustralia’snational

Seecommentsunder6to8.Aweaknessintheunderstandingofthecurrentrolesandresponsibilitiesliesintheunavoidableevolutionarydevelopmentofthesystem.Forthelivestockindustry,thelast‘bigbang’impactontheAustralia’sbiosecurity

2Thereisanexception:forthetwofinancialyears2005and2006thelevytoAHAdeclinedfrom$0.13to$0.07,thenwasresumedat$0.13.


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biosecuritysystemclearlyandconsistentlyunderstood?Howmightthisbeimproved?

modusoperandioccurredwiththecreationoftheEmergencyAnimalDiseasesResponseAgreement(EADRA)in2001,whichfollowedtheincorporationofAHAin1996.Associatedprogramsandindustry/governmentadvisorybodieshaveevolvedasneededsincethen,withnocommensurateincreaseinfunding.AHAhasrecentlycompletedathoroughdevelopmentofitsStrategicPlantocoverthefiveyearsto2020.WhileAHAdoescompriseindustryandgovernmentmemberswhonaturallywereinvolvedintheplanningprocess,itsfocusisonanimalindustries;likewise,PHA’splanningisfocusedonplantindustries.Given‘biosecurity’coverssomuchmorethanjustplantsandanimals,istherejustificationinhavinganall-in,multi-day‘conference-style’gatheringofallstakeholderstomoveAustralia’scollectiveeffortstoanewlevel?Outofsuchanexercisemaycomeinitiativesaimedatco-ordinatingnotjusttheeffortsofAustralia’smanygovernmentsbutalsoitsindustriesanddiversecommunitieswhohavethepotentialtocontribute.Thegrowingnecessitytodealwithweedsisprovingatouch-pointforsuchanexpansion.Examplesofrecentco-operationbetweengovernments,animalsectorsandplantsectorstotackleweedissuesincludetheRedWitchWeed(Strigaasiatica)responseandtherecentNBCworkshoponModernisingAustralia’sapproachtoestablishedpestsanddiseasesofnationalsignificance.

10. WhatpracticalactionsdoyouthinkgovernmentsandindustryorganisationscanundertaketostrengthentheinvolvementofindustryandcommunitystakeholdersinAustralia’snationalbiosecuritysystem?Wouldincreasedinvolvementindecisionmakingonandimplementationofbiosecurityactivitieshelptheadoptionofsharedresponsibility?

Fundingbiosecurity

11. AretheIGABinvestmentprinciplesstillworkable?DotheystillmeettheneedsofAustralia’snationalbiosecurity

IGABinvestmentprinciplesare:1. Activityisundertakenandinvestmentisallocatedaccordingtoacost-effective,science-basedandrisk-

managementapproach,prioritisingtheallocationofresourcestotheareasofgreatestreturn.2. Relevantpartiescontributetothecostofbiosecurityactivities:


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systemnowandinthefuture?

a. Riskcreatorsandriskbeneficiariescontributetothecostofriskmanagementmeasuresinproportiontotheriskscreatedand/orbenefitsgained(subjecttotheefficiencyofdoingso),and

b. Governmentscontributetothecostofriskmanagementmeasuresinproportiontothepublicgoodaccruingfromthem.

3. Governments,industryandotherrelevantpartiesareinvolvedindecisionmaking,accordingtotheirroles,responsibilitiesandcontributions.

Theseprinciplesseemappropriateandstillworkable.Towhatextenthavetheybeenadheredtosince2012?ItisnotforCattleCounciltoprovidejudgementonwhetherinvestmentisbeingefficiently,effectivelyandaccuratelysourcedand/ortargeted;inotherwords,theextenttowhichtheprinciplesarebeingadheredto.Moreimportantistheprocessbywhichtheseissuesarediscussedwithstakeholdersandassessmentsmadeastoadherence.Withanumberofendemic-diseaseprograms,jurisdictionalgovernmentshavemadeunilateraldecisionstowithdrawfinancialandresourcesupportonthegroundsthattheynolongerhavearoleinendemic-diseasemanagement.Producershavehadtopickupthetaborlosetheirprogram(s).Thishasbeenstarkwith,forexample,generalextensionservices,thenationalJohne’sdiseaseprogramsandidentification-and-tracingservices.Whilethismaybejustifiableonbeneficiary-paysprinciples,thereremainsastrongmarket-failureargument(tosupportongoingtaxpayerinvolvement)thatisbecomingincreasinglymoredifficultforindustrytoprosecutesuccessfully.Tocomplicatematters,dependingfromwhichjurisdictiontheproducercomesandwhetherthereexistsanypoliticalimperativewithinthatjurisdiction,governmentresourcesarebeingprovidedtohelpwiththecollectionofstate-basedlevymoneystobeusedtooffsetcertainbiosecurity-relatedcosts.ThishasledtoahotchpotchofbiosecurityfundsaroundAustralia,witheachbeingusedforentirelydifferentand,attimes,competingpurposes.Inonecase(Queensland),thegovernmenthasbeenlegallyblockedfrommeetingitsproducers’requestforalevy.

12. Aregovernmentsandindustryinvestingappropriatelyintherightareas?Arethereareaswherekeyfundersshouldberedirectinginvestment?Caninvestmentinbiosecurityactivitiesbebettertargeted?Ifso,how?Pleaseprovideexamples.

13. Howdoweensureinvestmentsandinvestmentframeworksalignwithpriorities,whilebeingflexibleenoughtoaddresschangingrisksandpriorities?

14. ArecurrentbiosecurityfundingarrangementsstillappropriatetomeettheneedsofAustralia’snationalbiosecurity

Asmentionedunder7/8and9/10above,biosecurityfundingarrangementsapplyingtodayhaveevolvedovertimeandarenowtobefoundwanting,forgovernmentsandindustry.Intermsofgovernments,theimportanceofagriculturetothenationalandregionaleconomiesseemstohavebeendiminishingfordecadesintheeyesoftreasurydepartments;‘biosecurity’,beingamerecomponentofagriculture,


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system,nowandinthefuture?Whatmightanalternativeornovelfundingmodelencompass?

faresevenworse.Forindustry,thereisverylittlewillingnessonthepartofitsleaderstopressforincreasesinlevies,evenwhenlivestockpricesareatrecordlevels,thisinspiteof‘biosecurity’becomingincreasinglyunderstoodascriticallyimportant.Thereisanurgentneedforcollective(industryandgovernment)actionaimedatdeterminingAustralia’struebiosecurityprioritiesandpressingforafundingmodeltoaccommodatethem.Forthebeef-cattlesector,severalpotentialmechanismspresentthemselvesasabletoservicethecollectionofabiosecurity-specificnationallevy:

1) aredistributionofthecurrent‘take’fromthe$5/adultheadCattleTransactionLevy(CTL)toensurebiosecurityhasitsownfundingstream.ThisadditionalstreamcanbecollectedandmanagedthroughAHAortheCattleDiseaseContingencyFund(CDCF)Trustee.Forthistooccur,otherrecipientsoftheCTLwouldloseout;

2) anadditiontothe$5CTL,withtheextrafundscollectedandmanagedthroughAHAortheCDCFTrustee;or

3) useofthecurrentzero-ratedemergencyresponselevysuchthattheFederalGovernmentagreestoitsincreasefromzerotoalevelagreednecessarytocoverindustry’sessentialbiosecurityactivities.

Withallthreeoptions,theGovernment’sLevyRaisingPrinciplesandGuidelines(P&Gs)wouldneedtobemet.Thisisasignificantproblemforindustry,whichhasbeenlobbyingforsometimetohavetheP&Gs‘softened’tomakethemmorepracticalandworkable;therehasbeennochangetodate.

15. WhatcanbedonetoensureanequitablelevelofinvestmentfromallstakeholdersacrossAustralia’snationalbiosecuritysystem,includingfromriskcreatorsandriskbeneficiaries?

Inattemptingtoanswerthisquestion,referenceismadetotheNationalFarmers’FederationsubmissiontotheNBCdated31July2015(seeAppendix2).Ofparticularrelevanceisthedescriptiononp.2under,Maximisingreturnsfrombiosecurityinvestments,whereanappropriatedescriptionanddiagramaroundfundingunderthe‘marketfailure’principlearepresented,andonp.4under,Proposedrolesandresponsibilitiesofgovernmentandotherstakeholders,whereriskcreatorsarediscussed.Inessence,theGeneralised(orBiological)InvasionCurvecreatedbytheNBChasbeenacceptedbyNFFandCattleCouncilasalogicalbasefordiscussionsaroundresponsibilitiesandfunding.Governmentshaveafarmoreeffectiveroletoplayontheleftendofthecurveandlandholders(whichincludegovernmentsinsomecircumstances)moreontheright.


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Indeterminingbeneficiaries,NFFaddedoneconceptimportanttothe‘fundingequation’:therecognitionthatindustry(ratherthanthecommunityasawhole)maybethebeneficiaryfromaprogramthatmightotherwisebebeyondthecapacityforprivatefundingbecauseofmarket-failureprinciplesapplying;thiswouldgivejustificationforlevyfunds(asagainsttaxesorprivatemoneys)beingemployed.Regardingriskcreators,NFFurgeddiscussionaroundtheneedforapunitiveapproachforriskcreatorswhoeitherunnecessarilycausethespreadofunwantedpests,diseasesorweedsorinhibitthemanagementofthemthroughlackofcareorengagement,andwhetherspecialattentionto‘fringegroups’and/ormulti-landusersisneededindevelopingmanagementandcontrolstrategiesattheregionallevel.

Marketaccess

16. AremarketaccessconsiderationsgivenappropriateweightinAustralia’snationalbiosecuritysystem?Whatotherconsiderationsalsoneedtobetakenintoaccount?

Australiahastoplayacarefulbalancingactbetweenprotectingourownindustriesandcommunitiesfromincursionsandpressingforaccesstoforeignmarketsforourexportsonwhichwerelysoheavily.CattleCouncilcontendsthatGovernmentmeetsthischallengewell.ThisisprobablyreflectedinthecriticismfromforeigngovernmentsthattheAustralianGovernmentistooclosetoindustrywhendeterminingitstradepoliciesandcriticismfromAustralianindustriesthattheGovernmentcanbetooalignedwithitsinternationalobligationsforAustralia’slong-termgood.Onthelatter(industry’sopinion),agreaterintegrationofindustryintobiosecurity-relatedpolicymakingcanimprovethelevelofunderstandingandengagementbyindustryinrelationtointernationaltradeimperativesandthebalancingactrequiredofGovernment.ThisisnottodiscountAustralia’sprioritytokeepunwantedorganismsoutwherepossible.

17. Aretherewaysgovernmentscouldbetterpartnerwithindustryand/orthebroadercommunitytoreducecosts(withoutincreasingrisk),suchasindustrycertificationschemes?

Industrycontendsthatgovernmentscouldandshouldplayagreaterroleinsupportingindustry-drivenbiosecurityprograms.Asdiscussedunder11/12/13,governments,particularlyatjurisdictionallevelwhereinterfacewithindustryispronounced,havemovedfurtherandfurtherawayfromdirectinvolvementin,forexample,endemic-diseasemanagementandextensionservices.Industryhasacceptedthisasanunwelcomerealityandhasrecognisedthecostsavingsthishasdeliveredtothesegovernmentsatindustry’sexpense.Inreturn,industryhasmaderequestsforgreaterregulatorybacking(whereappropriate)toassistwiththeimplementationof,andcompliancewith,itsdisease-managementandquality-assuranceprograms.Jurisdictionalgovernmentshavegenerallyrefusedor,at


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best,showngreatreluctance.MakinglivestockHealthStatements/Declarationsmandatoryisacaseinpoint.Theperceptionthatjurisdictionalgovernmentscontinueto‘take’andnot‘give’israisingunnecessaryanimosityfromindustry;amoreco-operativeapproachwouldbenefitAustralia’sbiosecurityeffortsoverall,withverylittleaddedcosts.CattleCouncilcontinuestosupportitsowninitiative,LivestockBiosecurityNetworkPtyLtd,asanimportantmeansoffillingthevoidleftwiththedepartureofjurisdictionalgovernmentsfromtheprovisionofextensionservices.Hereisagreatopportunityforanindustry/governmentpartnershipthatwillallowindustrytoleverageitsmeagrefundingandgovernmenttomaintainanimportantpresence.

18. Howcanthecapacityandcapabilityofsurveillancesystems(includingdiagnosticsystems)underpinningAustralia’snationalbiosecuritysystembeimproved?

Mentionedunder5isAustralia’sproposedNationalAnimalHealthSurveillanceandDiagnosticsProgram,whichisinitsformativestages.Membersarebeingsoughtforanappropriatemanagement/implementationgrouptoguidestakeholderengagementagainstanacceptedbusinessplan.

Theroleofresearchandinnovation

19. WhichspecificareasofAustralia’snationalbiosecuritysystemcouldbenefitfromresearchandinnovationinthenextfive,10and20yearsandwhy?Pleaseprovideexamples.

TheNationalAnimalBiosecurityRD&EStrategywasestablishedtodealwiththesequestions.Ifprogressintheseareasisfoundwanting,perhapstheStrategyanditsmanagementstructurerequirereview.Inaverygeneralsense,areasthatwouldbenefitfromresearchandinnovationwouldincludeplanning;surveillance;datacollectionandanalyses;emergencypreparedness;soundandwell-fundedpolicy-makingplatforms;endemicdiseasemanagement(doublingasa‘trainingground’foremergencypreparedness);internationalintelligencegathering;rapidaccesstoemergencyveterinarydrugs,vaccinesandchemicals;improveddiagnostictests;improvedavailabilityanduseofmoderncommunicationstechnology;etc.

20. Howcancoordinationofbiosecurity-relatedresearchandinnovation


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activitiesbeimproved?

21. Howcaninnovation(includingtechnology)helpbuildamorecost-effectiveandsustainablenationalbiosecuritysystem?

Measuringtheperformanceofthenationalbiosecuritysystem

22. WhatdoessuccessofAustralia’snationalbiosecuritysystemlooklike?Howcouldsuccessbedefined,andappropriatelymeasured(thatis,qualitativelyorquantitatively)?What,ifany,measuresofsuccessareinuse?

Measuresofsuccesswilldifferacrossthebiosecuritycontinuum.Theonlygivenisthatbaselinedataandsuccessmeasuresarenecessarytogaugeprogress.OneofthetasksunderIGABMk2mustbetodevisesuchmeasures.Historically,theeradicationofbovinebrucellosisandtuberculosisfromtheAustraliancattleherdwasasuccessmeasuremetwithinternationalrenown.ManagementofJohne’sdiseaseinthelivestockindustryisanexampleofafarmoredifficultsetofcircumstances.CattleCouncilisworkingwithitsextensionarm,LivestockBiosecurityNetworkPtyLtd,topursuesuccessmeasuresaroundon-farmadoptionofbiosecuritypractices.Otherorganisations,suchaslivestockResearchandDevelopmentCorporations,havetheirownsetsofsuccessmeasures,andtherearemeasureswithintheNationalLivestockBiosecurityRD&EStrategyFramework.Inotherwords,bybringingAustralia’sbiosecurityfraternitytogether,relevantperformancemeasurescanbeaggregatedintoameaningful,nationalsetagainstwhichallplayerscanassesstheirprogress.

23. Whatwouldberequiredtoensuredatacollectionandanalysismeettheneedsofafuturenationalbiosecuritysystem?Whoarethekeydataandexpertknowledgeholdersinthenationalbiosecurity

Inthemain,dataarecollectedatjurisdictionallevel.Forthelivestockindustry,thishasbeenlooselycollectedthroughtheAHA-managedNationalAnimalHealthInformationSystem,butitisn’tnecessarilycapturingallrelevantdatanorisitabletostandardisethesystemfordatacollection.OneoftheobjectivesoftheNationalAnimalHealthSurveillanceandDiagnosticsProgramBusinessPlan(referencedin5and18)istoenhancethecollection,managementandeffectiveuseofanimalhealthsurveillanceinformation.With$200mallocatedbytheFederalGovernmentin2015toimprovebiosecuritysurveillanceinAustralia,data


CCACOMMENT

system? collectionandanalysismethodsmustformanimportantpartofAustralia’sfuturebiosecuritystrategyandhenceexpenditure.SignificantfundingstillexistsunderthisDAWR-managedprogramoverthenextfouryears;acarefulexaminationofprogresstodateandplansforthefuturewouldbenefittheIGABReviewPanelindrawingrecommendationsastohowfundingmightbewelltargeted.

24. Howcanexistingornewdatasetsbebetterused?Howmightdatabecollectedfromawiderrangeofsourcesthangovernment?

ËËË

WorkingGroups

Addresses:fundingof‘con4nuum’byGov’t;ownership;leadership;jointplanning;communica4ons;consulta4on

Considera4ons:size&manageability(Chairman);overseasreac4on;poten4alantagonists;legalen4tyornot;proac4ve/reac4vefunc4on,orboth

Post-border

Border Pre-border

Protocols DataCollec1on andsharing

IRAs Charging

Environment Other Communica1ons

RelevantRepresenta1ve

Bodies


Bodies

FederalGovernmentDAFF/AQIS/BA/ACVO/ACPO

BIOSECURITYCONSULTATIVE

COUNCIL

StateGovernmentsDG/CVO/CPO Execu1veGroup

(policy,technical,opera1onal)


Bodies

Aqua-culture

Agri-culture

Cargo Secretariat funded by the Fed Gov�t

31July2015

NationalBiosecurityCommitteeSecretariatDepartmentofAgricultureGPOBox858CanberraACT2601

RE:ModernisingAustralia’sapproachtoestablishedpestsanddiseasesofnationalsignificance

NationalFarmers’Federation(NFF)isthepeakbodyrepresentingfarmersandthebroaderagriculturesectoracrossAustraliaandisoneofAustralia'sforemostandrespectedadvocacyorganisations.

NFF’smembershipcomprisestheleadfarmerorganisationsfromthejurisdictionsandawiderangeofnationalcommoditycouncils.

AustralianfarmersandtheagribusinesssectorunderpinAustralia’sfoodsecurityandcontributetoglobalfoodandfibresecurity,directlythroughproductionandindirectlythroughtransferofknowledgeandskillstoothernations.Thecontinuedprofitabilityoffarmbusinessesunderpinstheabilityofthesectortoexpandandtakeadvantageoftheopportunitiesofagrowingglobalpopulationwithanever-increasingdemandforhigh-quality,safefood.

PleasefindattachedNFF’ssubmissiontotheNationalBiosecurityCommitteeinresponsetoitsdiscussionpaperentitled,ModernisingAustralia’sapproachtoestablishedpestsanddiseasesofnationalsignificance.ThissubmissionispresentedonbehalfofallNFF’smemberorganisations,someofwhichmayalsohavechosentosubmitundertheirownletterhead.

Yourssincerely

MrRonCullenChairmanNFF’sBiosecurityTaskforce

Att.

NATIONALFARMERS’FEDERATIONSUBMISSIONTOTHENATIONALBIOSECURITYCOMMITTEEONITSPAPERENTITLED:

MODERNISINGAUSTRALIA’SAPPROACHTOESTABLISHEDPESTSANDDISEASESOFNATIONALSIGNIFICANCE

31JULY2015

Introduction

NationalFarmers’Federation(NFF)acknowledgedthetimelinessoftheNationalBiosecurityCommittee(NBC)discussingnewideastomanageestablishedweeds,pestsanddiseasesthathaveasignificantimpactatanationallevel.

RogerBealeAOandhisPanel,intheir2008Report,OneBiosecurity:aworkingpartnership,emphasisedtheimportanceofatruepartnershipwhendealingwithmattersofbiosecurityinAustralia:

Thecentralthemeisthedevelopmentofaseamlessbiosecuritysystemthatfullyinvolvesalltheappropriateplayers—business,othernations,thestatesandterritoriesandtheAustraliancommunity—acrosspre-border,borderandpost-borderriskmanagementmeasures.

Itcouldbearguedthat,sincetheBealeReport,strongpartnershipshavebeenforgedbetweenthevariouslevelsofgovernment;however,forthemostpartthesehaveexcluded“theAustraliancommunity”andindustryorganisations.

RecentstepshavebeentakenbytheNBCtocorrectthisanomaly:industrybodiesarenowinvitedtoattendcomponentsofNBCmeetingsandtheNFFhasbeenaffordedobserverstatusonthegovernments’NationalCommunicationsNetwork.

Theserecentchangesarestructuralinnatureandimportanttoappropriatepolicydevelopmentcoveringmattersofrelevancetoindustry.However,therealchallengeforachievingatrueandsuccessfulpartnershipliesinthecapacityofallgovernmentsinAustraliatoworkequallywithindustryinmonitoringandmanagingexistingpests,diseasesandweedsandparticipatinginprogramsaroundpreventingand/orrespondingtoincursionsofunwantedpests,diseasesandweeds.

IndevelopingthefirstnationalframeworkformanagingestablishedpestsanddiseasesofnationalsignificanceundertheIntergovernmentalAgreementonBiosecurity(IGAB),theNBCrecognisesthat“Industryandlandholdersknowbesthowtomanagebiosecuritythreatsontheirpropertyoraffectingtheirindustry”andthattheyarewellpositioned“toleadinitiativeandcollectiveaction,withthesupportofgovernments.”[RonaMellor,DepartmentofAgricultureMediaRelease,1June2015]

Unfortunately,asissooftenthecase,fundingis,andwillcontinuetobe,anissue;nevertheless,byapproachingbiosecurityinanappropriatemannerandinpartnershipwithgovernments,effectivenesscanbemaximisedandexpenseminimised.Shouldaddedfinancialresponsibilityberequiredofindustry,aco-operativeapproachtohowsuchfundsaretoberaisedandtheextenttowhichgovernmentsrecognisetheirobligationstothecommunityandaslandholdersneedthoroughdiscussionandagreement.

WithproductionlossesquotedbytheDepartmentatmorethan$620millionperannum(2009)attributabletopestanimalsandafurther$4billionperannum(2004)incostsassociatedwithweedsinAustralia,thereappearsstrongjustificationforcollectiveaction.Theemphasismustbeoncollective.

Producershavemuchtooffer,particularlywiththeirknowledgeandexperiencearounddealingwiththechronicimpactsofpests,diseasesandweedsontheirproductivityandprofitability.

Theproposedframeworktoaddressestablishedpestsanddiseasesofnationalsignificance

ThefollowingcommentsrelatetotheheadingsandpointswithintheNBCDiscussionPaper.

Maximisingreturnsfrombiosecurityinvestments

Priortoaddressingthespecificquestionsposedinthepaper,commentisofferedaroundthebasictenetbehindtheoverallproposal.Thisissummarisedquiteneatlythroughtheuseofthe“generalisedinvasioncurve”onpage5andtheparagraphimmediatelyfollowing:

Publicbenefitfromprotectingprivateassetsisgenerallylower,particularlycomparedwithotheractivitieswheregovernmentcanplayarolesuchaspreventionorearlydetectionofincursions.Thebenefitsofmanaginganestablishedpestordiseaseaccruepredominantlytotheownerofthelandortheowneroftheasset,soasset-basedmanagementmaybethemostcost-effectiveforanindividualand/orasthebasisforcollectiveactionbyacommunityorindustry.

Theprincipleissound.Itisbasedon‘beneficiarypays’where,itisargued,greaterbenefitforthecommunity(i.e.,taxpayer)comesfromPreventionwhilethemoredirectbenefitforlandholderscomesfromAsset-BasedProtection;hencethejustificationforgovernmentsspendingmorethanindustryatthePreventionendofthescaleandindustryspendingmorethangovernmentsattheAssetProtectionend(notingthatgovernmentswillplaysomeroleinprotectingtheirownassets.)

Anadditionalwayofpresentingthisconceptthataddsadifferent‘flavour’istooverlayitwiththe‘marketfailure’principle.(ThisismentionedlaterintheNBCpaperbutonlybriefly.)Therewillbetimes,forexample,whenassetprotectionwillbebeyondthecapacityofindividualprivatelandholderseventhoughtheymaybetheprimarybeneficiaries,meaningcollectiveactionwouldbenecessaryandsocialisedfundingrequired.

Thisisreflectedinthediagrambelowwherethreeclearcategoriesoffundingareshown.CategoriesIand2arethetwoformsofsocialisedfundingappropriatetothemarket-failureprinciple,withfundingfromthesecategoriesallocatedaccordingtotheextenttowhichthebroadercommunitybenefits(hencetaxpayerfunding)ortheindustrycommunitybenefits(hencelevypayerfunding).

Category1 Category2 Category3

Community(public)benefits Community(industry)benefits Private(Individual)benefits

Socialisedfunding(taxes) Socialisedfunding(levies) Privatefunding

Prevention Eradication Containment AssetProtection

JuxtaposingthethreeCategoriesagainstthefourpillarsfromtheNBCdiagramhelpstodemonstrateanappropriateflowoffunds:expenditureoftaxpayerfunds(Category1)tendstobemorejustified

ontheleftofthegraphthanontheright,withthereverseapplyingtoprivatefunds(Category3);theexpenditureoflevyfunds(Category2)isjustifiablewherethebenefitswouldflowpredominantlytoindividualproducersbutwheremarketfailureexists,i.e.,whereindividualproducerswouldbeunableorunwillingtofundinitiativesintheirownright.

Ofcourse,thereareoccasionswhengovernments,asresponsiblelandholdersthemselves,mustbetheprimaryfundersofasset-basedprotection.(AgainthisisacknowledgedintheNBCpaper.)Taxpayerfundsarejustifiedinsuchcircumstancesundertheprincipleofbeneficiarypaysbecauseitisthetaxpayer,inreality,whoownstheassetsoverwhichthegovernmentshavecustodianship.NFFisparticularlykeenforthistobeacknowledgedregularlybygovernmentsandforthemtoworkenthusiasticallywithprivateland/assetholderswhenmanagingestablishedpests,diseasesandweedsofnational(andregional)significance.

Intermsofcalculatingwhocontributeshowmuchandtowhat,itwillbeimportanttoacknowledgein-kindcontributions,notjustfromgovernmentsbutalsofromprivatelandholderswhospendthebulkoftheirworkascarersofthelandandtheirlivestock.

ProposedPolicyPrinciples

1. Aretheproposedpolicyprinciplesappropriateandpractical?

2. Aretheproposedpolicyprinciplessufficient?

Giventhefocusofthissectiononasset-basedprotectionandbasedonthediagramonthepreviouspage,NFFconsiderstheproposedpolicyprinciplestobeappropriate.

Intermsofthelistbeingsufficient,thefollowingadditionalprinciplesarepresentedforconsideration:

a) whereonshorepests,diseasesorweedsareestablishedbuthavebeencontained,governmentshavealeadroleinco-ordinatingthepreventionofspreadtoareasknowntobefreeofthepests,diseasesorweeds;

b) aslandholdersintheirownright,governmentshavealeadroleinmanagingestablishedpests,weedsanddiseasesharbouredincommunityassets(whereimpactsarelesssignificant)andpreventingtheirspread1

c) eventhoughcertainestablishedpests,diseasesorweedsarepresentinAustralia,theFederalGovernmentisresponsibleforoptimisingitseffortsatpreventingfurtherintroductionsfromoverseas,particularlyifthepests,diseasesorweedsareregionallyconfinedandarethesubjectofcontainmentmeasurestomitigatefurtherspread.

REASONS:

Thissectiondoesgivetheimpression,atleastinitially,thatlandholderswillhavetobearmostoftheresponsibilityforminimisingimpacts(“…onshoremanagementofestablishedpestsanddiseasesfocusesonasset-basedprotectiontominimiseimpacts”).Whileitisstatedthat“governmentgivesprioritytosupportingindustryandcommunityleadershipandactions”and“governmentswillworkwithstakeholderstosupportinnovationformoreeffectivepestanddiseasemanagement”,itisunclearwhatthismeans.Theadditionoftheaboveprinciples(orsomethingsimilar)wouldprovideanacknowledgementthatgovernmentswillmaintainanover-archingresponsibility‘beyondthefarmgate’.

Asageneralcomment,thepolicyprinciplesastheystandarequitebroad;furthercommentfromNFFmaybewarrantedoncethedetailbehindthepointsbecomesclearer2.

1Examplesincludeenvironmentalweedsescapingtoagriculture;weedseedsandnon-productive,introducedgrassseedsspreadingbyvehiclestraversingprivatepropertiesorreserves;feralcatsimpactingonnearbyconservationareas;cropdiseases/pestsharbouredinheadlandsornearbybushland

Proposednationalsignificance/nationalinteresttest

3. Shouldlistingofestablishedpestsanddiseasesofnationalsignificancebeforadefinedperiodoropenended?

4. Whatformofreviewshouldberequiredtomaintainthelistingofapestordiseaseasanestablishedpestordiseaseofnationalsignificance?

5. Whatisanappropriatetimeforsuchareview?

Inanswertothesequestions,NFFbelieves:

a) listingofestablishedpests,diseasesandweedsshouldbeopen-ended,withthecriteriaforfuturelistingfirmlyagreed;

b) amodelworthconsideringfordeterminingandreviewingthelististhatusedrecentlybytheRuralIndustriesResearchandDevelopmentCorporation(RIRDC)fortheAustralianPesticidesandVeterinaryMedicinesAuthority(APVMA)forprioritisingagvetchemicals/animalscombinationforupcomingattention;and

c) followingdeterminationoftheinitiallistandaformalreviewwithin12months,thelistandprioritiesshouldbereviewedbiennially,withtheopportunitythroughsomeformalmechanismofamendingthelistoutofsessionifrequired.

REASONS

Ofmoreimportancethanthelistitselfistheperiodforitsreviewandtheflexibilitytoaddandsubtractnewitemswhendeemednecessary.Havingsaidthis,aconcertedefforttoestablishthelistinthefirstinstanceisimportant.Partoftheestablishmentprocessshouldbediscussionaroundprioritisationofresourceusage,oratleastmethodologyforestablishingprioritisation.Unlessapest,diseaseorweediseradicated(andhencedroppedfromthelist),onlytheprioritisationshouldbeamendedfromreviewtoreview,meaningthelistiskeptasanopen-ended‘inventory’.

Intheopinionofanumberofattendees,theapproachadoptedrecently(June2015)byRIRDCforprioritisingAPVMA’supcomingworkprogramintermsofestablishinglabelrequirementsforcertainagriculturalandveterinarychemicalsworkedverywell.Byreportsitwasbasedonalong-heldpracticeintheUS,andmorerecentlyCanada,forthesamepurpose.Underthewatchfuleyeofexcellentfacilitators,itmadeaverydifficulttaskquitemanageable.Toexpediteanoutcome,plantandanimalindustrieswererepresentedatseparateworkshops.Anannualreviewisbeingconsidered.Thisconceptformsthebasisforthecommentsunder(b)and(c)above.

Inadditiontolistingimportantpests,diseasesandweeds,thereneedstobeagreementondesiredoutcomesandnecessaryactionstoachievesuchoutcomes.

Proposedrolesandresponsibilitiesofgovernmentandotherstakeholders

6. Aretheproposedrolesandresponsibilitiesclear,particularlyinrelationtoyourrole?

7. Aretheproposedrolesandresponsibilitiesappropriateandpractical?

Inanswertothesequestions,NFFbelievestheproposedrolesandresponsibilitiesofeachgrouprequiresomeclarification(seebelow).

2Forexample,wherethereis‘nationalinterest’,willtherebeanassociatednationalmanagementplanorstrategy?Ifso,whatwillitlooklikeandhowwillitfitin?

REASONS

Astheconceptevolves,greaterclarityisexpectedaroundsuchthingsas:

• therolesandresponsibilitiesforindustry;• whoisresponsibleifaparticularstrategyfails;• definitionsforstakeholdergroupsandwhatisexpectedofthem;and• theprocessandapproachwhensomepartiesrefuseorlackenthusiasmtoparticipate.

NFFappreciatestheacknowledgementbygovernmentsthat:

• aslandholdersintheirownright,theyareequallyresponsibleforassetmanagementwhererelevant;

• industryorganisationsandcommunitygroupshaveanimportantroleinpromotingcollectiveaction,supportingrelevantresearchanddevelopmentandprovidingindustryinputintoidentifyingpests,diseasesandweedsofnationalsignificance;and

• riskcreatorsneedparticularattention.

Suggestedadditionalcommentaryunderthissectionincludesdiscussionaroundtheneedforapunitiveapproachforriskcreatorswhoeitherunnecessarilycausethespreadofunwantedpests,diseasesorweedsorinhibitthemanagementofthemthroughlackofcareorengagement,andwhetherspecialattentionto‘fringegroups’3and/ormulti-landusers4isneededindevelopingmanagementandcontrolstrategiesattheregionallevel.

Whatwouldchange?

Suggestedchangesforthefuturemanagementofpest,diseasesandweedsbeingputinthispaperbytheNBCarerefreshingandeminentlysupportable.NFFwelcomesthegovernments’acknowledgementthat“betterresultsareachievedwhengovernmentsworkwithrelevantindustry,community,environmentandlocallandholdersgroupstohelpbuildmomentumformanagementofestablishedpestsanddiseasesofnationalsignificance”.

Benefitsofaco-ordinatedapproach

8. Whataretheissueswithestablishingandmaintainingeffectivecollectiveaction?

9. Howcanthecoordinatedapproachbebestimplementedacrossthevariousstakeholdergroups?

10. Howdoyouseeyourself(oryourinterest/industry/organisation)contributing?

Inanswertothesequestions,NFFbelieves:

a) oncealistofpests,diseasesandweedsofnationalsignificanceisagreedandprioritisationsallocated,themostsignificantchallengestoestablishingandmaintainingeffectivecollectiveactionlieinthequalityofgovernment/industryconsultation5,thegatheringofmeaningfulbaselinedataagainstwhichtomeasureprogressandthedeterminationofaneffectiveandsustainablefundingmodel;

b) thebestimplementationacrossstakeholdergroupsclearlyrestswiththedegreeof‘ownership’instilledinthemindsandactionsofallrelevantpartiesandthemodeladoptedtocreatesuchownership;and

c) itscontributionwouldbebywayofco-ordinatingtheeffortsofitsmemberorganisationsto3Fringegroupswouldcover,butnotbelimitedto,peri-urbanfarmers4Multi-landusersincludeusersoflandforagriculturalandresourcepurposessimultaneously5Allrelevantindustries,includingsmallnicheindustries,shouldbeconsulted.

ensurethelistofpests,diseasesandweedsiscomprehensiveandindustry’sandindividual-producers’exposuretofuturefundingcommitmentsisappropriatetoacost-effectiveprograminthepursuitofpositiveoutcomes.

REASONS

ThefollowingsentimentisespousedintheNBCpaper:“Theproposedapproachwouldmeaninterventionswouldbecost-effectiveanddrivenbyoutcomes(suchasassetprotectionanddamagemitigation),ratherthanbyinflexibleandexpensiveactivity-baseddesigns(suchasrelianceonregulation).Itwouldalsoenablegovernmentstomakemorestrategicinvestments.”

WhileNFFsupportsthisapproachinthemain,itisconcernedtoensure:

• abalanceisfoundbetweenpoliciesaffectingfewlandholdersonlargepropertieswiththoseaffectingmanylandholdersonsmallproperties;

• consultationbetweenenvironmentandlivestockgroupsisconductedinaspiritofco-operationforthebenefitofAustraliagenerally;and

• anappropriatemodelisadoptedsuchthatthetheoryofco-operationbetweenallinterestedpartiesisconvertedtopractice.

OfthecasestudiesprovidedintheNBCpaper,theNationalWildDogActionPlanmostexemplifieswhatisbeingsuggestedasthewayforward.AmorerecentexamplelieswiththestrategyrecentlydevelopedforcollectiveactiontoeradicateRedWitchWeed,orStrigaasiatica.

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