PAPUA New Guinea is at the cross road as far as biosecurity is concerned.
The country currently does not have a biosecurity policy nor any legislation in place and even so these legislations are obsolete, says National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (NAQIA) Managing Director, Joel Alu.
Mr. Alu was addressing more than 200 participants from Northern and Highlands regions at the opening of a two day Biosecurity Policy Stakeholders Consultation conference at the National Forest Research Institute in Lae, Morobe province this morning.
Biosecurity refers to a system to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases, pests, and other organisms on our native biodiversity of animals and plants which is critical for livelihoods of Papua New Guineans who depend on agriculture, cultural events of significance, tourism, public health, trade and national economy.
“We are at the cross road (in PNG) as far as biosecurity is concerned. We have come a long way, 46 years in making. But we are here today for this workshop, a very important consultation forum, so that we can be able to be in consultation with you and put together a biosecurity policy for our country (and to become biosecurity legislation).
“A biosecurity policy is very important for our country. The legislations that we have are very out dated. Some are established as far as 1953, 60, 70, or 80 years old. For example the Animal Disease Control Act was made in 1952. But how do we create a robust biosecurity system? Through a consultation forum like this,” Mr. Alu said.
He added: “Effective biosecurity control measures mean that endemic pests and diseases can be effectively contained and eradicated in the geographical areas in which they are found, limiting potential spread and consequent damage to local agriculture-based livelihoods and threats to food security.
“Animal health diseases and plant pests have increased in incidence and geographical range, particularly owing to climate change, changing agricultural practices, changing human ecology, and behaviour among other factors which therefore underlines the need for a robust biosecurity system to address these challenges,” Mr. Alu said.
The new biosecurity legislation will premise on but not limited to these goals:
- Establish legally enforceable mechanisms and principles to prevent the risk of introduction and spread of pests and diseases and protect the health of humans, animals and plants and natural resources generally;
- Enable the country to meet its legal commitments under international agreements and harmonize its biosecurity measures with international standards and best practices;
- Implement domestic policy;
- Define an institutional framework for implementation and enforcement; and
- Create a robust and transparent environment for trade, investment and business as well as agricultural activities.
Mr. Alu acknowledged the presence of the East Sepik Deputy Governor, David Kausik, NAQIA board Chairman and Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) deputy secretary, Francis Daink, PHARMA Plus country manager, Sydney Suma, representatives from the agriculture commodity boards, relevant government departments’ reps, DAL provincial reps, John Simango and Steven Wanasi from Grow PNG, Australia’s department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Codex, International Organisation for Animal health (IEO), and all others who attend today’s conference.