Australian farmers will continue to benefit from world-class biosecurity research following confirmation the Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis (CEBRA) will remain at the University of Melbourne for a further four years, to 30 June 2025.
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, David Littleproud said the Australian Government would provide $7.5 million to Melbourne University to continue to host CEBRA following the positive findings from an independent evaluation of CEBRA completed in 2020.
"This is yet another important initiative showing that biosecurity is a top priority for the Australian Government," Minister Littleproud said.
"CEBRA is a long-standing biosecurity research initiative of the Australian Government and is integral to our response to managing biosecurity risks and protecting our clean, green reputable agricultural industries and unique environment.
"This continued investment will ensure my department remains a leader in biosecurity risk management through research outcomes that inform a range of regulatory activities offshore, at the border and onshore.
"This includes risk analysis, setting regulatory interventions, inspection activities and surveillance.
"CEBRA's research helps ensure we are managing biosecurity risks more effectively and efficiently in an increasingly complex and evolving global biosecurity environment, and that my department's risk management activities are underpinned by world-class research.
"Its research has flow-on benefits to Australian farmers, the agriculture industry, environment and the broader Australian community through the protections provided by a strong national biosecurity system.
"In 2020, ground-breaking work by CEBRA showed that Australia's biosecurity system is worth an estimated $314 billion when modelled over 50 years, protecting assets valued at over $5.7 trillion over the same period.
"This represents an average return of $30 for every dollar invested by the Australian Government into biosecurity and reinforces the importance of the cutting-edge research being undertaken at CEBRA."
Fast Facts
- The CEBRA program has been hosted at the University of Melbourne since 2006. Operating as the Australian Centre of Excellence for Risk Analysis (ACERA) between March 2006 and June 2013, and CEBRA from July 2013.
- An independent evaluation of CEBRA was completed in 2020 which found it is delivering high-quality, impactful research in an efficient and effective manner.
- By 30 June 2021, the Australia Government will have invested over $14 million over CEBRA's eight years of operation.
