Award for farm biosecurity

The 2009 Australian Rural & Outback Awards was launched last Thursday in Canberra. This is the inaugural year for the Australian Rural & Outback Awards, developed to recognise the incredible achievements of people and their communities across rural and remote Australia. 

A Farm Biosecurity Award will feature as one of the Australian Rural & Outback Awards, to recognise exemplary biosecurity practices in outback and rural Australia. Producers will have the potential to win $2,000 for their efforts at implementing or educating others on Farm Biosecurity measures. Nominations are now open online at http://www.awardsaustralia.com/ or phone 1300 735 445.

The Award is sponsored by Farm Biosecurity, a joint initiative of Plant Health Australia (PHA) and Animal Health Australia (AHA) that enables both organisations to communicate with their members, and ultimately all producers, about ways to reduce the risks associated with common biosecurity related issues on farms.

The Farm Biosecurity program encourages all producers to secure their property by exposing them to ways in which their property may be under threat. It then explains how, in the course of everyday farming, risks can be mitigated. All producers have a key role in protecting their business from pests, weeds and diseases.

Plant Health Australia are excited about being able to highlight farm biosecurity through the Australian Rural & Outback Awards, believing it will help promote the biosecurity cause to a wide audience and shine a spotlight on those leading the way on better on-farm biosecurity practices. These contributions ensure protection, sustainability and biodiversity of Australia's agriculture industry.

For more information about the Farm Biosecurity program, visit http://www.farmbiosecurity.com.au/, or call PHA on 02 6260 4322.