AN agreement between the Australian government and plant industry bodies has been updated to better respond to emergency pest plant biosecurity..
The new Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed – or plant deed – came into effect last month.
The plant deed is a legally binding agreement between all state, territory and federal governments, Plant Health Australia and national plant industry bodies.
The plant deed supports nationally consistent and structured responses to emergency plant pest incidents
Plant Health Australia chief executive, Sarah Corcoran, said the deed was a landmark agreement, laying strong partnerships for plant biosecurity.
“Importantly, the plant deed also provides clarity regarding roles and responsibilities, assisting in managing expectations of each other and allowing for those involved to effectively prepare,” Ms Corcoran said.
The Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed was first ratified in 2005 in a world-first agreement to increase Australia’s capacity to respond to emergencies.
Collaboration between government and industry was not guaranteed before this arrangement came into effect.
Past responses enabled signatories to help provide changes to the national plant biosecurity system.
