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Some of the people who have helped make the Farm Biosecurity Program a success: (L-R) AHA CEO, Kathleen Plowman; PHA Executive Director and CEO, Greg Fraser; PHA Communications Officer, Sharon Abrahams and PHA’s National Manager Horticultural Cropping, Alison Saunders.
The Farm Biosecurity Program, Australia’s only national on-farm biosecurity awareness program, was recognised by winning the Australian Government’s prestigious government biosecurity award on Tuesday 7 March.
This award celebrates not only a significant biosecurity initiative but highlights the strong collaborative partnership between Animal Health Australia (AHA) and Plant Health Australia (PHA).
The annual Australian Biosecurity Awards recognises organisations and individuals who have made notable and outstanding contributions to protect the health of Australia’s plants and animals.
AHA CEO, Kathleen Plowman said: “The award acknowledged the eight-year partnership between AHA and PHA that has generated multiple innovative and useful resources to improve on-farm biosecurity amongst Australian producers.”
“The Farm Biosecurity partnership began in 2009 and since then it has generated a raft of tools and resources, including risk planners, gate signs and phone apps, all of which are accessible from the website and relevant to every Australian farmer and the sustainability of their business,” Ms Plowman said.
PHA’s Executive Director and CEO, Greg Fraser, also welcomed the accolade, saying that the partnership between PHA and AHA is the strength of this program, which is funded by subscriptions from government and industry members of the two companies.
“This award acknowledges what we have known for a number of years. We can achieve more by working together to maintain the health of crops and livestock at the farm level.”
Producers play a key role in protecting Australian plant and livestock industries from pests and diseases by implementing sound biosecurity measures on-farm.
“The Farm Biosecurity Program is about helping producers to secure their farm and secure their future. I encourage all of our industry and government members to use the resources provided by the program,” said Mr Fraser.
Both companies look forward to continuing to work together to help producers reduce the risks posed to their livelihoods by diseases, pests and weeds.
Celebrating a great night and a fantastic award. (L-R) PHA Chairman, Darral Ashton; Deputy Secretary for the Department of Agriculture Water and Resources, Lyn O’Connell; PHA Executive Director and CEO, Greg Fraser; AHA Communications Coordinator, Harley McNamara; PHA Communications Officer, Sharon Abrahams, Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston; AHA CEO, Kathleen Plowman; AHA Biosecurity and Product Integrity Services Executive Manager, Duncan Rowland, PHA National Manager Horticultural Cropping, Alison Saunders and AHA Chairman, Peter Milne.