13 February 2019
The Environment and Invasives Committee held its third face-to-face meeting on 13 February 2019 in Hobart, Tasmania.
Two new observers were welcomed by the Committee—Ian Thompson, Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer, and Sam Allan, Animal Health Australia. Phil Wood, the Tasmanian member for the National Biosecurity Communication and Engagement Network, also attended.
During the meeting, the Committee noted the progress made towards the development of the National Carp Control Plan, including its revised Communication and Engagement Strategy.
The Committee discussed a working draft of the Procedure for Determining Candidate Weeds and/or Control Agents for Biological Control and the interactions between various legislation for considering the risks and benefits of prospective biological control agents for high impact weeds.
A task group was formed to support the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions coordinate implementation of the National Environment and Community Biosecurity Research Development and Extension Strategy 2016-2020. This group will be chaired by the Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer.
The Committee agreed to proceed with the planned public consultation on the national priority list of exotic environmental pests and diseases, with the list expected to be finalised by the end of 2019. The Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer will be appointed custodian of the final list.
The Committee also:
- discussed a draft of the revised National Environmental Biosecurity Response Agreement and developing an Exotic Production Weeds Incursion Response Agreement
- considered an update on the National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program in South East Queensland, and
- agreed to provide the National Invasive Ant Biosecurity Plan to the National Biosecurity Committee for endorsement.
At its strategic workshop on 14 February 2019, the Committee met with members of the National Biosecurity Emergency Preparedness Expert Group to consider the findings of a review of preparedness and response capability for environmental biosecurity incidents and identify actions to address these findings.
The next Committee meeting will be held in the Northern Territory in August 2019.
For any questions or suggestions regarding this communique, please email the EIC Secretariat at EIC.
The Environment and Invasives Committee is responsible for providing national policy leadership on the identification, prevention and management of invasive plant, vertebrate and invertebrate species that adversely impact the environment, economy and community.
The Committee provides a national mechanism for identification and resolution of national priorities on freshwater aquatic and terrestrial invasive species and any other species where there is an environmental or community biosecurity impact where it is found not to be the responsibility of any other sectoral committee.
For further information on the Environment and Invasives Committee, you can visit the Committee’s website, hosted by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.