One of the sessions at the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) Outlook discussed how government and industry have been working together in partnership to introduce new export inspection and certification arrangements for grains and access into Asian markets for Australian cherry exports.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s First Assistant Secretary, Biosecurity Plant, Dr Colin Grant, said governments, industries and the communities have a shared responsibility for the nation’s biosecurity.

“Biosecurity remains critical to Australia’s agricultural sector and the productivity of Australia’s farming, fishing and forestry businesseses engaged in international trade,” Dr Grant said.

“It also helps to protect the wider economy and environment from the impact of exotic pests and diseases.

“It is therefore important that the agricultural sector, along with importers and exporters, and the broader community, assists in maintaining Australia’s low pest and disease status, as this helps to underpin our $39 billion a year agriculture, fisheries and forestry export trade.

“Working closely together on biosecurity will give confidence to other nations, which will continue to see Australia as a preferred trading partner.”