Tasmanian farmers must treat biosecurity as a fundamental part of their operations, warns Primary Industries and Water Minister Gavin Pearce. Speaking at the Rural Business Tasmania AGM in Launceston on October 22, Pearce emphasized the imminent threat of Avian Bird Flu reaching the island and the critical role of biosecurity in protecting the agricultural sector.
Signs of the H5 strain of bird flu have been detected in elephant seals on Australia’s sub-Antarctic Heard Island. Until now, Australia was the only continent untouched by this highly contagious disease, which affects birds, other animals, and occasionally humans. Minister Pearce’s address underscored the urgency of biosecurity measures, congratulating Rural Business Tasmania for their proactive collaboration with farmers amid the recent Mop-Top potato virus incursion.
Biosecurity: A Wake-Up Call for Agriculture
Minister Pearce highlighted the efforts of scientists working on treatments for Spongospora subterranea, or powdery scab, which will aid in managing future outbreaks of Mop-Top. However, he acknowledged the challenges faced by the agriculture industry, noting that the Mop-Top incident has reinforced the need for stringent biosecurity at the farmgate.
“I don’t think farmers took biosecurity probably as seriously as what I’d like – I think it’s reinforced that,” Pearce stated. “I want biosecurity to be at the forefront of everything we do in agriculture, but I don’t want it to be a second thought.”
Pearce stressed the importance of farmers having strategies and plans in place, being prepared both financially and scientifically to tackle any diseases that threaten their livelihoods. He envisions a future where every farm is equipped with a comprehensive biosecurity system.
The Economic and Emotional Strain on Farmers
Minister Pearce, who has firsthand experience with the financial pressures of farming, empathized with the economic and emotional burdens faced by farmers. He praised the work of Rural Business Tasmania (RBT) for providing support and resilience to the farming community.
“I understand completely the effects on a farmer’s bottom line. I live it every day,” he said. “I know the strains that places on a farming family. And I don’t think we can measure the fallout of that.”
The minister also expressed concern over the corporatisation of farms, particularly in the dairy industry, where soaring land values have put ownership out of reach for many local families. Pearce fears this trend could alienate a new generation from pursuing careers in agriculture.
Encouraging the Next Generation of Farmers
Minister Pearce passionately advocated for agriculture as a rewarding career choice for young people. He urged the industry to highlight the diverse opportunities available in farming and to attract the brightest minds to the sector.
“I want the smartest kids to get involved with agriculture, I want to tell their stories and I want to teach a generation that agriculture is the most diverse, interesting, smart industry that you could ever be involved in,” he said.
As Tasmania braces for potential biosecurity threats, the call to action from Minister Pearce is clear: biosecurity must become second nature to farmers, ensuring the sustainability and prosperity of the agricultural sector for future generations.
