Seafood Industry Australia (SIA) has welcomes the decision by the Federal Parliament to withdraw the Biosecurity Protection Levy bill.
SIA describes this is an important development for Australian seafood producers who were deeply concerned by the funding model in its current form.
‘On behalf of the Australian seafood industry and SIA members, we thank Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins, for responding to industry concerns regarding the biosecurity funding model and recognising the need to find a balanced and practical approach to sustainable biosecurity funding,’ said SIA CEO Veronica Papacosta.
Australia’s biosecurity system and its long-term sustainable funding arrangements are critically important to the future viability and prosperity of the Australian seafood industry across the entire supply chain.
Veronica Papacosta stated that SIA is committed to working with the Federal government on a sustainable funding model that encourages improvement of biosecurity protections and preventions in Australia’s marine estate.
‘The marine estate is a complex environment for biosecurity protection and prevention systems. SIA looks forward to partnering with government and researchers to better understand how risk factors and risk creators can be better identified and managed,’ she said.
‘It is critical that Australia’s biosecurity system is well-funded and supports the Australian seafood industry’s commitment to supplying fresh, high-quality Australian seafood to the community.’
