NSW Farmers’ has welcomed news that six new detector dog handlers have joined Australia’s border security team to protect the nation from biosecurity threats.
On Tuesday, Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins announced the new recruits had joined a team of more than 50 handlers and their dogs in searching for biosecurity risk material at international airports and mail centres around Australia.
NSW Farmers’ biosecurity committee chair Tony Hegarty said it is vital these dogs and their handlers are out in force.
“We know that detector dogs are highly effective in detecting biosecurity risk material,” Mr Hegarty said.
“Tens of thousands of high-risk items are intercepted at Australian shores every single year thanks to these teams, and we thank the Federal Government for continuing to invest in frontline measures that truly do protect our future.”
As Australia celebrated National Biosecurity Week, Mr Hegarty said further state and federal resources to boost biosecurity measures remained essential as pests such as Red Imported Fire Ants continued to pose a multi-billion-dollar threat.
“From cattle ticks and toxic cacti to fire ants and feral pigs, farmers in NSW are battling a perfect storm of biosecurity threats,” Mr Hegarty said.
“Further measures to address domestic and offshore biosecurity threats and protect agriculture would not only be an investment in our industry, but in Australia’s food security too.”
