Northern Australia Plant Capacity and Response Network (NAPCaRN) to better detect, prepare and respond to biosecurity threats, like black sigatoka, Asian citrus psyllid and citrus canker.
Australia government is pledging to invest AU$2.8 million to bolster biosecurity capability and create the Northern Australia Plant Capacity and Response Network (NAPCaRN) to better detect, prepare and respond to biosecurity threats, like black sigatoka, Asian citrus psyllid and citrus canker.
NAPCaRN will operate as an inter-jurisdictional plant biosecurity network to tackle plant biosecurity threats in partnership with industry and communities. The investment will integrate resources and actions of industry and four governments through the appointment of nine positions—significantly bolstering biosecurity risk management across the north.
The new grant is built on the ongoing biosecurity work already in action in Northern Australia, including:
- $4 million Northern Australia Coordination Network established last October to improve surveillance and preparedness to foot and mouth disease (FMD) and lumpy skin disease (LSD).
- Ongoing investment in the Indigenous Biosecurity Rangers Program, which provides vital surveillance needed for the early detection of biosecurity threats along the Northern Australian coastline.
Biosecurity Business Grants for Indigenous businesses, organisations or other organisations working with Indigenous people to support business opportunities relating to biosecurity activities for Northern Australia.
Northern Australia will get another line of defense in the fight against plant pests and diseases, with more federal support for biosecurity in the region. The initiative will be coordinated by the Northern Territory Government, with support from the Queensland and Western Australian Governments. The Network will invest in more frontline staff, including technical staff and interns in each northern jurisdiction.
Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said: “towards Queensland’s Biosecurity we’re are investing AU$21.7 million over 5 years, and AU$2.8 million each year thereafter, for action against current and emerging plant pests and diseases which is in addition to AU$22 million over 5 years , and AU$2.5 million each year thereafter, already announced to address increasing animal biosecurity risks.”
