23 March 2017
The Invasive Plants and Animals Committee (IPAC) met on 23 March 2017 in the Australian Capital Territory.
Mr Bruce Christie was welcomed as the new Chair of IPAC, and Mr Will Zacharin was thanked for his efforts and support as the previous Chair.
Key outcomes from the meeting included:
Endorsement of the Australian Weeds Strategy and Australian Pest Animal Strategy
The Australian Weeds Strategy and Australian Pest Animal Strategy were endorsed by the Committee. The Committee also agreed that the strategies be progressed to the National Biosecurity Committee for endorsement at their next meeting, prior to their public release.
Improving Australia’s Didymo preparedness
The Committee agreed to create a Didymo preparedness plan to assist jurisdictions respond to, and manage, Didymo detections.
National Carp Control Plan
The Committee noted the positive early progress developing the National Carp Control Plan, including progress in the development of draft plans to inform delivery of strategic research and technology activities and consultation, communication and engagement.
Upcoming IPAC meetings
It was agreed that the next Committee meeting (IPAC 9) will be a strategic workshop to discuss the outcomes of the review of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity and the Committee’s future role and work plan. The workshop will be held in late July/early August in Queensland.
The Invasive Plants and Animals Committee is a sectoral committee of the National Biosecurity Committee (NBC).
The committee provides advice to the NBC on weeds, vertebrate pest animals (including freshwater fish) and freshwater invertebrate pests.
For further information about the Invasive Plants and Animals Committee you can visit the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website.