Biosecurity is the protection of people, animals, horticultural industries and ecological systems against disease and other biological threats.

Involvement with biosecurity is essential to protect South Australia's favourable pest and disease status from the increased risk of exotic pest, disease and weed incursions. By doing so South Australian industries can maintain and enhance access to international animal and plant-related markets. 

The objective of biosecurity programs is to identify, assess and respond to all pests, diseases and weeds posing a significant threat to primary industries, native biodiversity and human health. The programs include measures to:

• prevent new pests, diseases and weeds entering and establishing
• manage established pests, diseases and weeds to eradicate them where possible or reduce their impact
• ensure preparedness to respond to any incursions of pests, diseases and weeds that do occur.

This is achieved via a variety of early detection, surveillance and emergency response programs.

Livestock Industries and Animal Health

Biosecurity programs are invaluable in supporting South Australia's livestock industries. These include:

• National eradication of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia and bovine tuberculosis
• Active control of significant endemic diseases and invasive pests of terrestrial animals, such as enzootic bovine leucosis, lice, footrot, Johnes disease to minimise their impact
• Animal disease surveillance critical for demonstrating absence or prevalence and assessing impact to support trade access and public health
• Preventing, detecting and being prepared to respond to incursions of emergency animal diseases and pests such as foot and mouth disease and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) should they ever occur in Australia

The Animal Health Group of Primary Industry and Resources South Australia (PIRSA) are responsible for overseeing and assistance to industry on matters relating to both national and state-based disease control, disease surveillance and animal welfare programs. The Livestock and Animal Health site provides more information about disease control programs and supporting programs such as animal identification systems.

Horticulture Industries, Crops, Pastures and Plant Health

Plant Health biosecurity programs have a focus on protection of South Australia’s A$480 million horticulture industries, and address declared plant pests and diseases such as fruit fly, locusts and phylloxera. The unit is responsible for implementing and monitoring plant biosecurity management arrangements, such as the movement of material into and out of SA through surveillance at border roadblocks, and plant pest surveillance, through early detection mechanisms and crop surveys.

A major component of PIRSA's plant biosecurity arrangments is the A$3million SA fruit fly prevention program. Import regulations and verification, early detection, surveillance and communication strategies have assisted in reducing fruit fly outbreaks in SA over the past six years, protecting market access and allowing expansion into new markets.  

More information about PIRSA's plant health biosecurity programs can be found in the Plant Health site.

Forestry Industries

Biosecurity programs include the:

• biological control of the Sirex wood wasp, a program that saves the Australian pine industry billions of dollars
• biological control program currently being undertaken to provide an efficient and cost-effective method of controlling Monterey Pine Aphid.

Forestry SA is responsible for the protection of the state forest resource, including the management of any incursions from forest pests and diseases. 

Fishing Industry

Introduced fish and weeds pose a significant threat to native species and the environment with economic impacts on fishing industries. Programs are in place to prevent or control the spread of marine and freshwater pests such as:

• European carp in South Australian waterways
• the invasive seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia which has been eradicated from West Lakes but has continued to spread down the Port River
• North Pacific seastar, already established in Port Phillip Bay and Hobart.

PIRSA's Fisheries site provides more information about awareness and surveillance programs to protect the marine and freshwater environment and industries.

Aquaculture Industry

Although no exotic diseases or pests have resulted in economic losses to the aquaculture industry, some sectors remain vulnerable to significant impacts should an incursion occur.

PIRSA's Aquaculture site gives more information about Aquatic Animal Health.

Other Pests, Diseases and Programs

Weeds and Feral Animals 
Weeds cost agricultural industries millions in production losses and control costs, while the cost of weeds to the environment and biodiversity is largely incalculable. Early detection and control is essential for successful eradication.

Some biosecurity programs focus on reducing the impact of established pest animals, eg biocontrol has reduced the impact of rabbits but nationally they still have a large impact on agriculture.

Other programs focus on preventing incursions of new species, such as the cane toad, into South Australia.

The Animal and Plant Control group of the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation (DWLBC) (external site) co-ordinates state-wide responses, conducts research on control techniques and provides policy advice and support to regulatory activities to manage incursions and existing pest plant and animal species.

The State Natural Resources Management (NRM) Plan (.PDF, external site) outlines priorities and policies for animal and plant control in South Australia.

Native vegetation and animals
Threats to biodiversity and the natural environment include:

• the plant pathogen Phytophthora cinnamoni which causes the roots of susceptible plants to rot
• feral rabbits, goats and camels competing with native fauna for food, water and shelter
• fox and cat predation of small terrestrial mammals and ground-nesting birds.

Risk assessments to identify threats to native systems and ecosystems are conducted by the Department of Environment and Heritage (external site).

Species with the potential for social impacts
Active monitoring, surveillance and containment programs are in place throughout Australia to ensure that invasive species such as European Wasp, European House Borer and the Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) do not spread and are eradicated if possible.