Managing pest and disease emergencies : Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Australia.

Includes index

One of the many risks faced by Australia's agricultural industries is that of possible incursions of significant exotic pests and diseases, and outbreaks of serious endemic diseases and of previously unknown pests and diseases. Such emergencies pose a potentially serious threat to some industries, human health, flora and fauna, and could result in considerable economic consequences. In the last five years there have been 33 emergencies which the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Australia (AFFA) has considered significant because of their actual or potential impact on trade or industry, human health, or because of direct cost to the Commonwealth. While Australia's geographical isolation has provided a degree of natural protection from exotic pests and diseases in the past, increasing trade and international travel heighten the threat of exotic pests and diseases to this country. To address this threat, Australia has adopted a 'managed risk' approach using strategies such as targeted barrier controls; monitoring and surveillance; appropriate training; and preparedness to enable a rapid and effective response to an emergency