Last week, I had the privilege of attending the South Australian Livestock Liaison Industry Training in Adelaide, hosted by Animal Health Australia (AHA), PIRSA, and Livestock SA as an Observer and representative of AuctionsPlus. This event brought together a diverse cross-section of Australia’s agricultural landscape from our agency friends at Nutrien Ag Solutions, Elders, and Spence Dix & Co to the Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of SA (LRTSA), National Parks, DPIRD, and independent animal health consultants. The breadth of representation underscored a vital truth: biosecurity is not just a government responsibility; it is a shared national objective.
The workshop focused on training industry members to serve as Liaison – Livestock Industry (LLI) Officers during an Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) outbreak. These officers act as representatives of peak industry bodies, tasked with liaising with government agencies to shape and implement response strategies. This role is not symbolic, it is foundational to the success of an EAD response.
Australia is often viewed as a world leader in biosecurity, thanks in part to our island geography and strict border controls. But geography alone doesn’t protect our $30+ billion livestock sector. It’s the collaborative frameworks, like the EADRA, AUSVETPLAN, and consultative committees that ensure rapid, coordinated, and effective responses. These frameworks are not just government tools but living agreements that hinge on trust and transparency between government and industry.
During the workshop, we heard firsthand from seasoned LLI officers who had responded to outbreaks of avian influenza and Hendra virus. One particularly compelling account came from Dr Alex-Kate Langfield, who represented Egg Farmers of Australia during the recent avian influenza outbreak. Her dual role as a veterinarian and consultant gave her credibility and agility to act decisively. When one property was affected, she immediately contacted five others that she already knew shared the same feed truck. This led to early detection and containment. This kind of rapid, informed action is only possible when industry is embedded in the response.
Speed and clarity are paramount in an outbreak and having industry partners that are trained and prepared to understand their roles, anticipate consequences, and act within a unified command structure sets our farmers up for success to minimize and prevent catastrophic disease outbreaks.
So, what’s at stake if we get this wrong?
These figures represent more than economic value; they represent livelihoods, food security, and Australia’s global reputation. Protecting them requires more than policy, it requires partnership.
As we look to the future, the National Biosecurity Strategy calls for a connected, resilient, and shared biosecurity system. That vision cannot be realized without deep and ongoing consultation with industry. Whether it’s through training programs, simulation exercises, or joint decision-making, industry must remain at the heart of Australia’s biosecurity response.
Chloe Pike is the Integrity Lead at AuctionsPlus. Learn more about biosecurity and AuctionsPlus here.