On-farm biosecurity record-keeping + reporting
Producers must maintain biosecurity records + immediately report notifiable diseases.
Commonwealth and state law together
The Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth) covers goods, conveyances and people entering or leaving Australian territory. On-farm duties, including reporting notifiable diseases, come from each state and territory's own biosecurity law. Check the rules in each state or territory where you operate.
Who must comply
Livestock and plant producers, aquaculture operators and other agricultural businesses in every state and territory, together with anyone else who keeps animals or grows plants commercially. Plant researchers and scientists must report new organisms or pathogens they discover before taking further action.
What triggers it
Seeing signs or symptoms of a disease on the relevant state or territory's notifiable list, unusual sickness or deaths in animals, or an unusual plant pest, weed or disease, even when unsure.
When due
Report straight away through the relevant hotline or state authority, then follow the outbreak protocol and any directions given by government officers.
Evidence required
Farm biosecurity plan; the current notifiable disease list for each state in which the business operates; record of each report made (date, time, hotline, reference) and of actions taken under the outbreak protocol; animal health, treatment and movement records; staff briefing on how to recognise and report emergency diseases.
Max penalty
Penalties for failing to report a notifiable disease, and for breaching movement or other directions, are set in each state and territory's biosecurity legislation and vary by jurisdiction
Who must comply with this? The applicability test by industry, business structure and size.
Summary
Biosecurity duties on farms come from two levels of law. The Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth) manages the risks of goods, conveyances and people entering, leaving or moving within Australian territory, while each state and territory runs its own biosecurity law covering what happens on the property, including a list of notifiable animal diseases. Under those state laws, anyone who sees signs or symptoms of a notifiable disease must report it. National hotlines route each report to the right state or territory authority: the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline (1800 675 888) for livestock, wildlife, birds and aquatic animals, and the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline (1800 084 881) for plant pests and diseases, bee pests, new weeds and exotic ants. After reporting a suspected emergency animal disease, the producer must follow the exotic disease outbreak protocol until the government veterinarian arrives. Early reporting matters because diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, African swine fever and lumpy skin disease are present in nearby countries.
Source legislation
Industries
Topics
Related
- Cwlth + statesUse AgVet chemicals in accordance with the APVMA label + state CUPAgricultural and veterinary chemicals must be used per the registered label + state Chemical Use Permit conditions.
- CWLTHDairy Code of Conduct (mandatory)Mandatory Code governing milk supply agreements between dairy farmers + processors.
Reading
Frequently asked questions
- Who must comply with On-farm biosecurity record-keeping + reporting?
- Livestock and plant producers, aquaculture operators and other agricultural businesses in every state and territory, together with anyone else who keeps animals or grows plants commercially. Plant researchers and scientists must report new organisms or pathogens they discover before taking further action.
- What triggers On-farm biosecurity record-keeping + reporting?
- Seeing signs or symptoms of a disease on the relevant state or territory's notifiable list, unusual sickness or deaths in animals, or an unusual plant pest, weed or disease, even when unsure.
- When is On-farm biosecurity record-keeping + reporting due?
- Report straight away through the relevant hotline or state authority, then follow the outbreak protocol and any directions given by government officers.
- What is the maximum penalty for On-farm biosecurity record-keeping + reporting?
- Penalties for failing to report a notifiable disease, and for breaching movement or other directions, are set in each state and territory's biosecurity legislation and vary by jurisdiction
- What evidence is required for On-farm biosecurity record-keeping + reporting?
- Farm biosecurity plan; the current notifiable disease list for each state in which the business operates; record of each report made (date, time, hotline, reference) and of actions taken under the outbreak protocol; animal health, treatment and movement records; staff briefing on how to recognise and report emergency diseases.
Source: https://www.outbreak.gov.au/prepare-respond/report. Rules Mate is not a law firm. Always verify against the live regulator source before acting.