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In May 2022, an outbreak of FMD was reported in cattle in Indonesia and has since spread to Bali. An incursion of the virus would have severe consequences for Australia’s animal health and trade. The emergence and rapid spread of FMD in Indonesia has changed the risk profile for passengers and goods arriving in Australia. As result Australia has strengthened its border activities and new measures were immediately imposed to help prevent an incursion.

See also: Aquatic Animal Diseases Significant to Australia: Identification Field Guide, 5th Edition

See also: Aquatic Animal Diseases Significant to Australia: Identification Field Guide, 5th Edition

See also: Freshwater Fish Distribution in Western Australia

The 2021 independent State of Environment Report has highlighted that invasive species are identified as the most prevalent threat to Australian wildlife and are the primary cause of extinction events. The report warns of the compounding and devastating impact of multiple threats to Australia’s environment.

A new report, Fighting Plagues and Predators: Australia’s Path to a Pest and Weed-Free Future [PDF,  12 MB], reveals the environment is facing a "sliding doors" moment, with two possible futures for Australia, depending on the decisions made today. It highlights a looming wave of new extinctions and outlines two futures for Australia, one based on an unsustainable ‘business as usual’ approach and the other based on implementing targeted actions that will help save our unique biodiversity. The report pegs the conservative cost of damage caused by invasive species in Australia – predominantly weeds, feral cats, rabbits and fire ants – at $390 billion over the past six decades and around $25 billion each year and growing.

New research by the Threatened Species Recovery Hub has shown that invasive or pest species are a problem for 1,257 threatened species in Australia, or about four out of five species. The research which has been published in the scientific journal Pacific Conservation Biology also identified the top ten invasive species based on how many threatened species they impact. Lead researcher Stephen Kearney from the University of Queensland said many people may be surprised at which species top the list. “Rabbits, a plant root disease and feral pigs are the top three pest species impacting Australia’s threatened species,” Mr Kearney said.

The Australian Plant Biosecurity Science Foundation was established to follow the Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre (PBCRC) which finished operations in June 2018, supported with unspent funds from PBCRC.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) Biosecurity division manages the risks posed to South Australia by animal and plant pests and diseases, food borne illnesses, and the misuse of rural chemicals.

Important changes to Australia's Biosecurity System came into effect on 16 June 2016 with commencement of the Biosecurity Act 2015. The Biosecurity Act replaced the Quarantine Act 1908 and is designed to be flexible and responsive to changes in technology and future challenges. The Biosecurity Act sets up new requirements and regulatory powers that will affect how the department manages the biosecurity risks associated with goods, people and conveyances entering Australia.

See also: Case Studies for more resources

See also: Case Studies for more resources

The Centre for Invasive Species Solution is a national collaborative research, development and extension organisation, formed to tackle the ongoing threat from invasive species. Initially focusing on vertebrate pest threats.