The Territory Labor Government is ensuring we have the best defence against biosecurity threats, to keep our cattle industry thriving.
10 DITT staff from the Berrimah Laboratory Research team, including pathologists have taken part in the nationwide Exercise Waterhole.
It is designed to test how well-prepared Australia’s animal health laboratory network is to respond to a large-scale emergency animal disease outbreak.
In a simulated scenario, the team responded to an outbreak of lumpy skin disease affecting cattle in the Northern Territory, followed by a concurrent outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the southern states.
The exercise aimed to confirm Australia has sufficient laboratory capacity to manage the demands of multiple concurrent and high-impact emergency animal diseases and assess communication between Australian animal health laboratories.
It was also an opportunity to identify any constraints that may impact animal health labs and any impact of regulations in the event of an emergency.
Meanwhile, the Northern Territory Government and Universitas Gadjah Mada have signed a Letter of Intent to extend the successful Indonesia-Northern Territory Biosecurity Program in 2024.
Established in 2022, the program provides Indonesian students with the opportunity to participate in a Territory skills exchange to strengthen our biosecurity networks, including placements at Victoria River Downs Station, Katherine Research Station and Berrimah Farm.
While NT government staff travelled to Indonesia, attending lectures, visiting research stations and learning technical and practical skills to benefit our biosecurity knowledge.
It is a demonstration of our regions’ strengths as dynamic strategic partners, and demonstrates the value of building further biosecurity knowledge and skill sharing, training as well as research and development opportunities.
Managing biosecurity in a rapidly changing environment requires skilled, well-resourced and connected people working together to meet our current and future challenges.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agribusiness, Nicole Manison:
“Exercise Waterhole and others like it, are an important part of enhancing the Territory’s preparedness and capability to respond to biosecurity emergencies.
“We are on the front line of the defence of our nation for any disease outbreaks, and real time exercises put us to the test and ensure we are match fit for any outbreaks.
“The Indonesia-Northern Territory Biosecurity Program is a wonderful example of mutual interest and partnership between the Northern Territory and Indonesia, which helps to build capability and capacity.
“With the very real threat of Lumpy Skin Disease and Foot and Mouth disease, preparation is paramount to protect our industry, livestock and jobs.”
Northern Territory Government
