Bureau of Rural Sciences National Biosecurity Engagement Forum
A key step in maintaining and improving regional biosecurity is to involve the whole community in detecting and managing pests, diseases and weeds and preventing their spread and establishment.

The Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS) in the Department of Agriculture Fisheries & Forestry (DAFF) invites biosecurity stakeholders to attend this forum to develop a clear framework of effective community-based biosecurity programs and activities.

The purpose of the forum is to identify key biosecurity outcomes and engagement practices, and to discuss specific priorities for horticultural biosecurity engagement case studies.

The forum will be held on Wednesday, 17 September 2008, 8.45am to 5.00pm in Canberra at the Devine Function Centre. There is no fee for attendance.

In addition, an informal science café will be held on the evening of Tuesday 16 September. The science café will engage a wide cross-section of the community in discussion about volunteer biosecurity detection and monitoring. It will be held from 7.00pm to 9.30pm accompanied by relaxing drinks and refreshments complete with an open fire.

There are still places available, please RSVP as soon as possible if you are interested in attending.

For more information or to RSVP please contact Heleen Kruger on heleen.kruger@brs.gov.au or visit www.brs.gov.au.

Queensland to launch stronger biosecurity strategy
A tougher biosecurity strategy will be introduced in Queensland next year, drawing on the lessons learnt from the equine influenza (EI) and Hendra virus outbreaks.

Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin launched a discussion paper on biosecurity, inviting public comment until 30th September. The discussion paper outlines the challenges affecting the future of biosecurity in Queensland.

The biosecurity strategy will take account of Queensland's obligations to national biosecurity policies, actions and priorities, and provide the framework for decision-making and actions at the state level. The roles, responsibilities and actions of Biosecurity Queensland and other key stakeholders will be considered in the development of the strategy.

The Queensland biosecurity strategy will:

• articulate a vision and outcomes for a modern, integrated biosecurity system
• set some broad policy principles to underpin our actions
• identify areas for immediate and longer-term actions
• describe the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholder groups-government, non-government, industry and community
• define how success will be evaluated and reported.

Public meetings about the discussion paper are currently being held across the state and all interested parties are encouraged to attend.

To obtain locations, dates and a copy of the discussion paper, visit http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/cps/rde/dpi/hs.xsl/4790_11320_ENA_HTML.htm.

SOURCE: Queensland Government, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.