Australian government invests $66.6 million to keep ASF out
December 11, 2019/ Australian Department of Agriculture/
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/
ASF has never occurred in Australia; however, its changing distribution means a significant biosecurity threat to the country.
On December 11, 2019 the Australian Government announced $66.6 million to address the immediate threat of African swine fever (ASF). This funding will deliver:
- more biosecurity officers and six new detector dogs
- two new 3D x-ray machines that will be installed in the Sydney and Melbourne mail centres
- a new squad of post-border biosecurity officers to help identify and target incorrectly declared products brought into Australia for sale
- market access negotiations to facilitate continued trade if we did have an ASF outbreak
- Development of a mobile capability through the implementation of portable devices to manage passenger biosecurity. This will include the roll-out of a portable device to issue infringements and accept payments, enabling biosecurity officers to infringe on the spot in airports.