Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s Post

A new Lancet editorial, referencing my recent news article on the appointment of the EU's new Health and Animal Welfare commissioner, questions the state of European health security. Read here: https://lnkd.in/eTxGFvXm

Have Your Say on Australia’s first National Biosecurity Strategy Action Plan. The National Biosecurity Strategy Action Plan outlines activities that will be delivered over the next two years. Your voice is important - help us shape the future of the biosecurity system. Public consultation is open until 5pm (AEST) 15 August. Everyone, everywhere, working together to strengthen Australia’s biosecurity. 👉 Visit: https://brnw.ch/21wLJoK #NationalBiosecurityStrategy #Biosecurity #NationalBiosecurityStrategyActionPlan

🌍 Strengthening biosafety and biosecurity in the face of changing biorisks landscape In June from 9th to 14th 2024, I had the privilege of participating in a key Regional Workshop on National Biological Risk Assessment & Waste Management in Nairobi under the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence Projects / Expertise France project 99: Strengthening biosafety and biosecurity in Eastern and Central Africa As we face an evolving biorisk and biothreat landscape, the need for comprehensive national biological risk assessment has never been more critical. This helps countries to plan and prepare to prevent, detect and respond to biological threats. This particular training focused on developing national biorisk assessment tools, building upon previous sessions on the same subject. With the support of BIOCAP-ECA, experts from 11 countries across Eastern and Central Africa convened to enhance their capacity to conduct national risk assessments and effectively combat biothreats. Gratitude to all the partners for making this possible. RIVM National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, SCJS Europe, Expertise France, European Commission, University of Liège, UNICRI - United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute #Biosafety #Biosecurity #NationalRiskAssessment #CapacityBuilding #GlobalHealthSecurity #CBRN #Collaboration #Innovation #Africa

Are you prepared for emergency? Scientists estimate that the probability of a future outbreak of infection with a pathogen that subsequently spreads beyond national borders is "high" for us. In order to recognise and contain this risk from the outset, the #OneHealth 🌏 approach is groundbreaking - the joint approach of the three areas of environmental, human and animal health 👩🌾 🌳 🐒 . 🚀 The "Africa One Health University Network (AFROHUN)" has now published a brandnew certificate course for #PandemicPreparedness with a One Health approach by the East African Community. The interdisciplinary #course is aimed at key personnel and future experts in pandemic preparedness and #management and was supported with technical advisery by the Global Programme Pandemic Preparedness and Response, One Health of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. 📢 The importance of this course is underlined by past threats and lessons learned, e.g. the 2016 outbreak of #Ebola in #WestAfrica, which demonstrated that a multi-sectoral response, including resource mobilisation and coordination, is critical to success. 🔵 Course description: https://bit.ly/3LdYabS ⚫ Course manual: https://lnkd.in/eF5jNtfX

The countdown has begun 📅 for the inaugural National Biosecurity Week (NBW), set to run from 26 to 30 August 2024. 📣 Biosecurity is the management of risks posed to Australia’s economy, environment and communities by pests, diseases and weeds 🌾 entering, establishing, and spreading in Australia. Invasive species pose a significant threat to Australia’s biodiversity and native flora and fauna. 🕝 Early detection and management offer the best chance to minimise the impacts of these pests. 🕷 This annual event will highlight the collaborative efforts 🤲 of government, industry, and the community o in protecting our environment, food security, and our way of life. By raising awareness and advocating for the adoption of good biosecurity practices, NBW strives to strengthen our biosecurity system for the benefit of all Australians. Led by Plant Health Australia in partnership with Animal Health Australia, NBW is an initiative of the Decade of Biosecurity (DoB) with the support of the DoB partners, including the Queensland Government. Visit www.bioweek.org.au to download digital and printable promotional content and follow the hashtag #BioWeekAU for updates. #Biosecurity #NationalBiosecurityWeek #ProtectAustralia #NationalLandcareNetwork

How do our national issues on food security, environment, and conservation look to a marine scientist? UP MSI Assistant Professor Dr. Michael Atrigenio provides his insights. With this opinion piece for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Dr. Atrigenio sheds light on the marine problems that Filipinos are facing and how to make meaningful efforts to solve them. READ: https://lnkd.in/gR7qCQc8 #MSIat50 #MSIBeyondBorders

Only 24 hours left to Have Your Say on Australia’s first National Biosecurity Strategy Action Plan. The Action Plan outlines activities that will be delivered over the next 2 years. Your voice is important - help us shape the future of the biosecurity system. Public consultation closes tomorrow 22 August at 5pm. Everyone, everywhere, working together to strengthen Australia’s biosecurity. https://lnkd.in/eu52vjn4 #NationalBiosecurityStrategy #Biosecurity #NationalBiosecurityStrategyActionPlan

Cassava's role in food security is at risk due to CBSD, which often remains hidden until harvest. In Tanzania, a multispectral imager (MSI) analyzes leaf scans to detect CBSD early. Learn more about this research. https://lnkd.in/ejBdDatK

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending a week long Biosafety & Biosecurity Training courtesy of MOH in collaboration with Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK). Biosafety is a key element in accreditation process. It aims at protecting the personnel and the environment from pathogens. It is also responsible for ensuring that there is safe custody of pathogens in the laboratory so they are not used as harmful agents to the population. #biosafety #biosecurity

On Monday evening the United States Government Policy for Oversight of Dual Use Research of Concern and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential was published and made available. The Policy addresses oversight of research on biological agents and toxins that, when enhanced, have the potential to pose risks to public health, agriculture, food security, economic security, or national security. Over the past year, I have had the pleasure of working alongside my esteemed colleagues at USAID, Laura Campbell, Jessica Tanner, and colleagues across several other USG Agencies to bring this policy to fruition. If you have a moment, you can check out yesterday's article by NEWYORKTIMES.COM for a quick overview but of course, I highly recommend looking over the real deal!