MEDIA RELEASE

26 October 2011: CANEGROWERS welcomes modernised Biosecurity Bill

Peak group for sugarcane growers, CANEGROWERS, has today welcomed the introduction of the Queensland Government’s Biosecurity Bill as an important step forward for the state’s biosecurity.

The legislation, which was introduced into Parliament last night by Queensland Agriculture Minister Tim Mulherin, will bring together seven separate biosecurity-focussed Acts.
CANEGROWERS CEO Steve Greenwood said the industry has welcomed the release of the Bill, saying it would help to modernise and streamline biosecurity.
“Pest and disease outbreaks are a constant concern for Australia’s primary industries,” he said.

“Biosecurity issues have caused major financial loss to the sugarcane industry in the past, and to stay competitive on the world stage, we just cannot afford another incursion.
“A strong and dynamic biosecurity legislative environment is a vitally important piece of the primary industries puzzle, and we commend the government on the release last night of the Biosecurity Bill.

“We are hopeful the release of this Bill will further strengthen the coordinated industry and government response to future biosecurity challenges.”
Greenwood said the danger of pest and disease incursions is only too real for the sugarcane industry, after sugarcane smut took hold of the industry in 2006, and orange rust before that.

“Biosecurity issues cause not only financial loss, but lost productivity and in the case of the sugarcane industry, they often disable the ability to take advantage of high world prices, which occurred with smut,”

“A stronger and well-coordinated approach to biosecurity can only be welcomed by the industry.”

Media comment:         Steve Greenwood  |  CANEGROWERS CEO  |  0488 721 156
More information:      Jasmine Hunt  |  CANEGROWERS Communications  |  0418 871 881 or 07 3864 6444