Media release

From: Australian Science Media Centre

If COVID has taught us anything, it is that keeping biological threats out is critical.

At least 75 per cent of emerging human infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, originate from animals. Biosecurity is also crucial for protecting Australian animals, plants and environments worth trillions.

While Australia has one of the strongest biosecurity systems globally, outbreaks are continuing to rise in volume and complexity. Between 2012 and 2017, there was a 50 per cent increase in the number of times biosecurity risk materials were intercepted at Australian borders.

Just scaling up Australia’s current biosecurity system will not be enough to deal with the growing risks we face.  The system needs a big change. 

Join this briefing to hear from the lead authors of a new CSIRO report "Australia’s Biosecurity Future: Unlocking the next decade of resilience" which has identified 20 recommendations to equip Australia’s biosecurity future for a new age. 

Speakers:

• Dr Rob Grenfell, Director of CSIRO Health & Biosecurity
• Andreas Glanznig, Chief Executive of the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions
• Kathleen Plowman, Chief Executive of  Animal Health Australia
• Sarah Corcoran, Chief Executive of Plant Health Australia

Conflicts of interest: The speakers have not declared any conflicts of interest

Briefing recording now available