Consultation starts on new biosecurity regulation

THE Australian Government has today released the first draft regulation under the new Biosecurity Act 2015, giving interested stakeholders the chance to put their ideas forward on how biosecurity risk will be assessed when the new Act takes effect next year.  

Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, said the Biosecurity Import Risk Analysis Regulation (BIRA regulation) has been released for a three month consultation period.  

"The biosecurity import risk analysis process, the regulations and the opportunity for stakeholders to comment were key issues raised by stakeholders during consultation on the Biosecurity Act," Minister Joyce said. 

"I am pleased to follow through on the government's commitment to meaningful consultation with stakeholders and I invite all interested people and organisations to provide comment on the exposure draft regulation. 

"All comments received during the consultation process will be considered in drafting the final BIRA regulation. 

"Our enviable clean and green biosecurity status relies on getting these regulations right—and we are all aware of the potential consequences of a pest and disease incursion to our domestic industries, environment and access to overseas markets."  

Minister Joyce said today that the draft BIRA process under the new legislation was guided by the recommendations from the recently releasedexamination of the import risk analysis (IRA) process report. 

"We heard from stakeholders that it is important to consult earlier, to access external expertise and to better explain how regional differences are considered when conducting an IRA," Minister Joyce said.  

"The feedback we received through the examination of the IRA process from stakeholders has directly shaped the draft BIRA regulation. 

"I would also like to reassure stakeholders that the development of the BIRA process does not mean previously completed IRAs are invalid or will be redone."  

The submissions period for the BIRA regulation is open from today until 30 November 2015.    

For more information on the exposure draft and the consultation process, please visit agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/legislation/new-biosecurity-legislation.

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