Whether it’s stopping the entry of a parasitic weed that could devastate Queensland broadleaf crops, seeking out and destroying nests of an Asian bee that could wreck the local honey industry, or eradicating equine influenza, a dedicated team of professionals with Biosecurity Queensland has spent the past 12 months proving their worth!
(Media-Newswire.com) - Whether it’s stopping the entry of a parasitic weed that could devastate Queensland broadleaf crops, seeking out and destroying nests of an Asian bee that could wreck the local honey industry, or eradicating equine influenza, a dedicated team of professionals with Biosecurity Queensland has spent the past 12 months proving their worth!
With Queensland this week downgrading equine influenza movement restrictions and edging closer to life without the exotic disease, Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said his department would also be celebrating another milestone in its ongoing work to protect Queensland.
Established as a business unit of the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Biosecurity Queensland was launched one year ago, on March 1, 2007.
Mr Mulherin said Biosecurity Queensland was established because there was a need to bring all the pest and disease expertise, experience and capability under the one umbrella organisation.
“Biosecurity Queensland was put to the test only months after it was established, with our staff managing the state component of one of the Australia’s most challenging outbreaks to date - equine influenza.
“An eradication program for Asian green mussels and Asian bag mussels, the first marine outbreak ever managed by DPI&F, is also underway, and I have no doubt that the diverse skills and experience that now exists in Biosecurity Queensland has again allowed us to carry out this new work.
“It’s been a big year for Biosecurity Queensland, but we move forward with a lot of exciting new prospects ahead.
“This year DPI&F plans to release a public discussion paper about biosecurity issues in Queensland, in the lead up to finalising a Biosecurity Strategy early next year.
“We’re also looking at how we can better work at putting long term preventative measures in place to further protect the state from the impact of pests, diseases, invasive weeds and other issues that may affect lifestyle or trade, as well as putting a stronger focus on the science that underpins our ongoing work,” Mr Mulherin said.
For more information about Biosecurity Queensland, visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au
This story was released on 2008-03-03. Please make sure to visit the official company or organization web site to learn more about the original release date. See our disclaimer for additional information.