Biosecurity reference group

Helping to strengthen Victoria’s biosecurity system for the future will be the key focus of an inaugural Victorian Biosecurity Reference Group when it meets for the first time next month.

Eleven members with vast experience, knowledge and skills in biosecurity operations, agriculture policy, citizen expertise, community engagement, biosecurity science and managing biosecurity risks have been appointed to the new group, which has been established as part of a Victorian Government $28-million program to strengthen Victoria’s biosecurity system.

Agriculture Victoria’s Biosecurity Services executive director Katherine Clift said it was encouraging to see the response to the call for reference group nominees.

Dr Clift said it demonstrated how invested industry and community members were in their desire to help contribute to a stronger biosecurity system for Victoria, and to be part of the process.

“Biosecurity is key to not only protecting our agriculture sector, but also our environment, biodiversity, cultural heritage, economy and way of life,” she said.

The first meeting of the biosecurity reference group will be on March 28.

People can visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/brg for more information.