Biosecurity surveillance is the observation, monitoring, and data collection activities aimed at protecting plants from pests, diseases, and invasive species. In Australia, where agriculture and horticulture play a critical role in the economy and environment, maintaining plant biosecurity is essential to ensure freedom from exotic pests and protect both the natural and farmed environments. Biosecurity surveillance for growers should be part of daily farm activities, through regular crop inspections, working with stakeholders and ongoing monitoring, growers can help protect our agricultural industries, biodiversity, and global trade relationships from the devastating effects of plant pests and diseases.
Australia’s plant industries rely on a pest-free status for access to international and domestic markets. Surveillance provides evidence of pest absence or presence, ensuring that farmers:
Surveillance when undertaken regularly enables early detection of exotic or invasive pests before they can cause widespread damage. This allows for swift response, eradication, or containment strategies, dramatically improving the chances of success and reducing management costs.
Pests not only impact commercial crops but also affect forests and native flora, it is important to for awareness of this risk and for surveillance activities to be conducted in non-farmed areas to protect biodiversity and the broader environment.
Everyone plays a part in protecting plant health. Growers can contribute by:
The Australian Government in partnership with state and territory government run the NPHSP. This program is the backbone of Australia’s plant biosecurity system and aims to protect the Australian Plant Industry from harmful pests and diseases. Coordinated by Plant Health Australia, this important work focuses on activities which:
Economic Benefits
Environmental and Social Benefits
NT Farmers acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past, present and emerging. This website is made possible thanks to the NT Government's Community Benefit Fund
