Horticultural growers in the Northern Adelaide Plains are being encouraged to strengthen their on-farm biosecurity arrangements through a new jointly funded State Government and horticulture industry initiative.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone today launched the 'Clean Your Farm' initiative at Two Wells with the Marshall Liberal Government committing $20,000 to the project in conjunction with AUSVEG SA.
"Through the 'Clean your Farm' initiative, farmers in the Northern Adelaide Plains region will be encouraged to strengthen biosecurity credentials and in turn, market access," said Minister Whetstone.
"This project will provide education and support with a particular focus on two key biosecurity risks - how equipment and people can spread disease and information about pests in weeds.
"The project will include targeted on-farm and nursery site visits, the provision of tool disinfection kits, information resources and industry workshops.
"Growers will be encouraged to improve their biosecurity planning by putting measures in place to control the movement of visitors and workers, cleaning and disinfecting tools, buckets, equipment and shoes, controlling the movement of machinery and creating a weed-free buffer zone around crops or glasshouses.
"Another focus of the project will be ensuring information is available for producers in the region with English as their second language."
Member for King Paula Luethen welcomed the program to help farmers improve biosecurity practices.
"I've spoken to a number of farmers who will benefit from the 'Clean Your Farm' project by receiving education and support to improve biosecurity practices," said Ms Luethen.
"It is important the Marshall Liberal Government continues to work with farmers across the Northern Adelaide Plains and surrounding areas to improve on-farm biosecurity practices."
Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey, whose electorate will now encompass Two Wells, congratulated the Marshall Liberal Government on such an important initiative.
"This project is a great example of industry and government working together to better prepare the industry in the event of a biosecurity incursion," said Mr Ramsey.
Chief Executive Officer of AUSVEG SA Jordan Brooke-Barnett said 'Clean your Farm' will support growers to adopt practices that better identify, prevent and address key biosecurity risks.
"The ultimate goal of the project is to heighten awareness of good biosecurity practice and to encourage growers to treat biosecurity planning in a similar manner to quality assurance or risk planning such as OH&S or bushfire planning," said Mr Brooke-Barnett.
"In further support of the Clean Your Farm project, AUSVEG SA will introduce a new Biosecurity Award at our annual awards ceremony later this month."
