MEDIA RELEASE 

28 November 2009

Biosecurity fine doubling welcomed

Federated Farmers has welcomed the doubling of instant biosecurity fines from $200 to $400, as well as the bipartisanship shown in Parliament towards the Biosecurity Amendment Bill.

“Anything that sends travellers a stiff message about biosecurity is vital and increasing the $400 instant fine is a step forward,” says John Hartnell, Federated Farmers Biosecurity spokesperson.

“While farmers do handbag Parliament from time to time, we do appreciate the work put into this Bill.  The Biosecurity Minister, the Hon David Carter MP and Parliamentarians from all parties should be congratulated. 

“We also welcome an increase in Court convictions for the same offence being raised from $400 to a maximum of $1,000.  Although given the gravity of biosecurity, this $1,000 maximum still seems light.

“We could be economically devastated if our forestry, agricultural and horticultural exports were hit by an organism entering our country. 

“Yet it’s not just the productive sector but tourism too.

“Didymo demonstrates just how easy it was for one angler with infected gear to potentially cause hundreds of millions of dollars of damage to our environment.

“While a $400 instant fine is stiff and the Court conviction stiffer still, the Federation will enthusiastically back moves to toughen biosecurity penalties further,” Mr Hartnell concluded
ends