State emergency arrangements

PIRSA's emergency management responsibilities and activities at state level include:

  • Hazard Leader and Control Agency in biosecurity emergencies
  • Support Agency for other types of emergencies
  • Developing the Adverse Events Framework
  • Advising on animal safety in emergencies

Biosecurity emergencies

Under the State Emergency Management arrangements, PIRSA plays an important leadership role as the Hazard Leader and Control Agency for biosecurity emergencies in South Australia.

Biosecurity is the management of risks to the economy, the environment and the community, of pests and diseases entering, emerging, establishing or spreading.

It includes measures aimed at preventing the introduction and/or spread of harmful organisms, like viruses or bacteria, to animals and plants in order to minimise the risk of transmission of infectious disease.

In agriculture, these measures are aimed at protecting food crops and livestock from pests, invasive species, and other organisms not conducive to the welfare of the human population.

Biosecurity not only protects primary industries and the economy, but also public health and the conservation and tourism benefits of the state’s natural environments. South Australia’s robust biosecurity system relies on a partnership approach between government, industry and the community.

Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility whether you are a landowner, agricultural producer, food manufacturer, transporter, tourist or member of the community. We all have a role to play.

Other types of emergencies

As a Support Agency, PIRSA delivers necessary relief and recovery services for animals and primary producer stakeholders in a wide range of other emergencies that may adversely impact primary production and regional communities.

PIRSA has developed relationships with a range of organisations to add to its capability to deliver this support.

Adverse Events Framework

The Adverse Events Recovery Framework (PDF 461.8 KB) guides the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) approach to preparing for and implementing recovery activities in response to adverse events that severely affect primary production, viability and profitability.

Adverse events may include events such as fire, flood, severe weather and disease or other adverse events such as drought and/or sudden and unforeseen trade restrictions resulting from an adverse event.

This framework establishes a community-led process to determine the recovery needs for primary production and associated communities as a result of a given event. As part of the framework, PIRSA works in partnership and collaboration with primary producers, industries and other agencies to return primary industry businesses to normal operations as quickly as possible.

The framework establishes a context for defining severity of adverse events from a meteorological (rainfall) perspective, a production perspective and the socio-economic impacts.

The principles in this framework are consistent with arrangements such as the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) on Drought Program Reform, the National Strategy for Disaster Resilience, the Disaster and Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and South Australia’s State Emergency Management Plan.

Planning and preparedness for adverse events is an ongoing endeavour through the delivery of PIRSA’s core business to assist primary industries and regions to grow and innovate.

Our approach to working with primary industries and primary producers ensures we have the networks and intelligence required to support effective recovery programs.

Page last reviewed: 04 Apr 2022

 


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