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Yesterday the department hosted the first meeting of the Committee on Agricultural Cooperation (COAC) with Korea.
Head of Trade, Market Access and International Division at the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Chris Tinning, co-chaired the virtual meeting with Director-General Sang-man Lee of Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
After 13 years of environmental havoc caused by feral pig populations, Victoria’s Quail Island is once again a haven for wildlife, with evidence of the first, rare Southern Brown Bandicoot discovered there in six years.
Backed by over $200,000 in Australian Government funding, Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority and Parks Victoria rangers have succeeded in eradicating feral pigs from this unique part of the internationally renowned Western Port Ramsar wetlands, south east of Melbourne.
In March 2020, the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment received an allegation that earthworks associated with land clearing and drainage had impacted on the Seasonal Herbaceous Wetlands of the Temperate Lower Plains at Streatham Victoria in contravention of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
The wetlands are formed from isolated drainage lines and depressions that are not connected to riverine systems but fill seasonally by local rainfall.
Dr Robyn Cleland has been appointed as the new Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer for the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.
Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity and Compliance, Andrew Tongue, said that Dr Cleland brought a wealth of experience and expertise to the role.
“Dr Cleland has held senior leadership roles in the Australian Public Service for over a decade now,” Mr Tongue said.
The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s frontline biosecurity officers have successfully detected a new red imported fire ant infestation at the Port of Brisbane.
Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment Deputy Secretary Andrew Tongue said the discovery by officers undertaking routine surveillance as part of the National Border Surveillance program was a reminder of the importance of vigilance in maintaining biosecurity.
Leading experts have come together to share their research as part of a national action plan to combat the highly invasive fungal disease myrtle rust.
Acting Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer Elyse Herrald-Woods said the symposium offered the opportunity for experts across government, industry and the community sector to share their knowledge, prepare strategies, and discuss the latest research.
“Since myrtle rust was first detected in New South Wales in April 2010 it has spread across the eastern Australian landscape,” Ms Herrald-Woods said.
The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment is on track for the successful eradication of an exotic ant incursion at a first point of entry in Brisbane, following an extensive response effort.
Head of Biosecurity at the department, Andrew Tongue, said the exotic ants were identified as Pheidole fervens, which are not present in Australia and can pose a serious biosecurity risk.
Vulnerable Hooded plover breeding rates have increased tenfold on parts of the Victorian and South Australian coast, thanks to the tireless efforts of an army of volunteers and a 15-year bird-recovery program, partly funded by the Australian Government.
The Hooded plover is just one beneficiary of Birdlife Australia’s successful Beach-nesting Birds Program, celebrating fifteen years of operation today. Other birds helped include the Pied oystercatcher, Sooty oystercatcher, Beach Stone-curlew, Red-capped plover and Fairy tern.
An investigation into an illegal wildlife trafficking operation has culminated in the sentencing of its ringleader to 3 years and 6 months imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 2 years and 4 months.
The offender, 26-year-old Chek Wei Javill Chin, was sentenced last week at Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court after pleading guilty to 9 charges, including attempting to export regulated native species, exporting regulated native species and aiding and abetting attempts to export native species.