Tasmanian Salmonid Growers Association

June 14, 2016

• Maintaining Tasmania’s biosecurity is vital to protect the environment, agribusiness and tourism
• Tasmania reserves the right to manage its own biosecurity risk
• Tasmanian industry is very happy to be part of a National system of biosecurity
• Tasmanian arguments are always based on robust science
• We all accept our Biosecurity duty of care
• The changes to the national system don’t need to be rushed, we need to get it right. Make it transparent with proper stakeholder management
• On June 16 Tasmania could lose its abilities to protect its economy from exotic pests and diseases

In an unprecedented show of unity, Tasmania’s producers together with tourism and hospitality operators have come together to demand better protection for Tasmania from exotic pests and diseases.

“We stand here today united in our call for all candidates in the Federal election to be upfront about their stance on protecting Tasmania’s unique natural assets from biosecurity threats.

“We’ve written to all Tasmanian feder

al candidates asking them to state their position in writing because no one should underestimate the risk posed to Tasmania if regionality is not retained.” Spokesperson, Frances Bender from Huon Aquaculture said.

Ms Bender added for the past thirty years Tasmania has operated within the national biosecurity system with locally specific regulations to protect the state’s disease free status.

“The State Government has been doing a great job of protecting the state and we fully support and encourage that effort.

“The Federal Government is now in the process of overhauling the national biosecurity system, and at this stage there are no longer arrangements to cater for regional differences. The new system takes a one size fits all approach to protection from Darwin to Dover.

“As the new system stands, June 16 could see Tasmania lose its ability to protect vital industries and our unique environment from the impact of exotic pests and diseases.” Ms. Bender said.

The requirement to have Tasmania specific protection is based on science and the need to keep diseases such as fire blight and pests such as the fruit fly out of the state. The consequences of exotic diseases and pests becoming established in Tasmania can’t be overstated.

Brand Tasmania Executive Director, Robert Heazelwood says; “We agree that Australia needs a robust biosecurity regime, the problem is the one size fits all approach poses too great a risk for Tasmania.

“Importantly the state’s ‘clean green’ brand rests on the disease free status of the state being maintained. The Tasmanian brand is carried by products such as Atlantic salmon, wine, beer, vegetables and oysters to name a few.

“Tasmania’s reputation for fine food and beverages is the cornerstone of the state’s brand equity and is a key driver for attracting tourists.” Mr. Heazelwood said.

Collectively the industries employ thousands of people and generate billions of dollars that circulate through the Tasmanian community.

PIBAA convener, Dr Adam Main, added that members of PIBAA would be meeting with the candidates for the Federal Election to explain the problems with the proposed system in the next week, but in the meantime the letter is calling on them to voice their support publicly for Tasmania’s disease and pest-free-status.

ends…..

For more information contact Richard Gerathy on 0419 203 075.

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PIBAA membership and charter.

On Wednesday 14 April 2010 a group of Primary Industry representatives met to discuss the direction of biosecurity within Tasmania. The reason for the meeting was due to the concerns that various industry sectors have in relation to current quarantine services and the threat of reduced services in the future. As a result of the meeting it was decided to officially form the Primary Industry Biosecurity Action Alliance (PIBAA).

PIBAA represents a diverse group of primary producers from agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries, nursery and horticulture. Although issues of interest within biosecurity are varied the key concerns for the group remain focused on ensuring the state has a continued commitment to maintaining and strengthening biosecurity to protect primary industries and states economy.

Tasmanian food is one of the best ambassadors for our state not only nationally but globally. Reducing our biosecurity would potentially risk many of the state’s global icons; abalone, cherries, salmon and wine, to name a few. Investing in biosecurity is minimal insurance compared to the global and national capacity these products have.

PIBAA Membership

 Wine Tasmania

• Tasmanian Aquaculture Council
• Oysters Tasmania
• Tasmanian Abalone Council
• Forest Industries Association Tasmania
• Hop Products Australia
• Tasmanian Island Pork Alliance
• Tasmanian Salmonid Growers Association
• Fruit Growers Tasmania
• Agricultural Contractors of Tasmania
• Tasmanian Beekeepers Association
• Nursery and Garden Industry Association (Tas)
• Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council
• Tasmanian Agricultural Productivity Group
• Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA)
• Poppy Growers Tasmania