It has launched an urgent review to consolidate Victoria’s biosecurity laws relating to animals, plants and pests – spread across multiple Acts – into a single Biosecurity Act.
A government statement said the review provided an opportunity to review and clarify the laws, improve the regulatory toolbox, and develop legislation that supports new ways for government, industry and the community to work together on managing biosecurity risk.
Biosecurity relating to human health is outside the scope of this reform it said, with the focus on protecting “Victoria’s natural environment, with its unique flora and fauna, as well as our cultural and recreational assets from the negative impacts of pests, weeds and diseases”.
In this review, biosecurity refers to the measures and controls that protect us from the negative impacts of pests, weeds and diseases.
This includes our industries, the economy and community, natural environment, and our cultural and recreational assets.
While Victoria’s – and Australia’s – biosecurity systems have been amongst the world’s most demanding and successful, but the increasing global movements of goods, people and ships are increasing biosecurity risks.
People involved in the production chain most immediately impacted by exotic pests and diseases are urged to get involved, follow the review and provide feedback, including completing a short survey, s well as providing more detailed feedback.
This consultation closes at midnight on Sunday, October 9.
Discussion papers are available to read at https://engage.vic.gov.au/reforming-victorias-biosecurity-legislation
