8 March 2022
The Environment and Invasives Committee (EIC) met virtually on 8 March 2022, led by Acting Chair
Mr Scott Charlton. The original two-day meeting was compressed into one to meet member commitments. Discussions were open and productive with a range of positive outcomes which include:
- Endorsing Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus) as a candidate for weed biological control, noting extensive consultation to date.
- Agreeing to circulate the draft National Feral Deer Action Plan for public consultation.
- Agreeing to extend Dr John Robertson’s term as Chair of the Freshwater Vertebrates and Invertebrates Working Group.
EIC governance documents were discussed with further amendments suggested including stronger alignment to National Biosecurity Committee requirements. Members deferred endorsement to accommodate further feedback. EIC endorsed the Terms of Reference and Operational Guidelines out of session on 19 April 2022.
Members received updates through presentations on priority projects including the development of the National Biosecurity Strategy, One Health Surveillance along with the General Surveillance Program Guidelines (the guidelines). The guidelines, developed by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, were released in February 2022, and are an important piece of our national surveillance policy framework, providing a common approach for surveillance and supporting partnerships in strengthening Australia’s biosecurity. Members agreed to promote the guidelines within their jurisdictions and to networks.
Emerging technologies and sharing compliance information will come into focus in 2022. Members will explore adoption and extension of novel methods and tools for surveillance and control activities. There is a shared interest amongst members in effective coordination of compliance efforts between the Commonwealth and jurisdictions.
EIC will next meet in mid-2022.
For any questions about this communiqué, please email the EIC Secretariat at eic@aff.gov.au.
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 more information, visit the Environment and Invasives Committee’s website, hosted by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.