Biosecurity

All dairy farmers should have a biosecurity plan to help protect their own farm and the broader dairy industry from the spread of pests and diseases on and between farms. Dairy Australia supports farmers to build their skills to create and manage biosecurity risks on their farm.

As signees to the Commonwealth Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA), dairy farmers are required to plan and implement actions to reduce the risk of pest and diseases spreading from farm to farm.

It is the responsibility of every dairy farmer to have an active biosecurity plan and communicate any requirements for staff and visitors.

Dairy biosecurity tool

Dairy Australia and Agriculture Victoria have worked together to develop a biosecurity tool which assists dairy farmers to create a biosecurity plan tailored to their farm. This tool has been based on Dairy Australia’s Healthy Farms Biosecurity Framework.

Farmers can access the biosecurity tool to manage their farm and herd’s risks to 14 separate diseases such as salmonella and Bovine Virus Diarrhoea. Farmers with an existing DairyBase account can use their existing login details.

Dairy biosecurity checklist

Dairy farms have biosecurity risks specific to their farming systems.

Farmers can download the biosecurity checklist as a quick guide to managing their risks.

Other resources

For further information on on-farm biosecurity, consider accessing the below resources.

Animal Health Australia

Animal Health Australia (AHA) and Farm Biosecurity provide resources covering the basics of on-farm biosecurity. Farmers can find out more on the Animal Health Australia website.

Farmers can also purchase a biosecurity gate sign, or download the template for free from the Farm Biosecurity website.

BIOCHECK®

BIOCHECK® is a biosecurity planning program developed by Australian Cattle Veterinarians. This program allows for the building of a biosecurity plan with veterinary oversight.

One Biosecurity (South Australia)

South Australian farmers can access the One Biosecurity tool through Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA). This tool builds and stores biosecurity information, which can then be shared when required.

Regulatory information

The dairy industry is subject to a number of biosecurity regulations and requirements.

Livestock Production Assurance

The Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) program is the Australian livestock industry’s on-farm assurance program covering food safety, which has expanded to include animal welfare and biosecurity.

Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) and Dairy Australia have assured Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) that dairy farmers are already meeting the LPA food safety elements through their milk quality assurance system.

Dairy farmers can therefore maintain their LPA accreditation by entering their dairy license number when re-registering, which exempts them from LPA auditing and from completing the biosecurity and animal welfare LPA learning modules.

Farmers who run other livestock (such as sheep or beef) will need to be independently LPA accredited for that business. Visit MLA's Integrity Systems website to find out more about accreditation.

Dairy farmers can also find free online LPA learning modules on the Integrity Systems website.

Queensland’s Biosecurity Act 2014

In Queensland, all owners of livestock must have a biosecurity plan in place. For more information, refer to Queensland farmer’s obligations under the Biosecurity Act 2014.

New South Wales Biosecurity Act 2015

In New South Wales, owners of livestock have an obligation take action to prevent the introduction and spread of pests, diseases, weeds and contaminants. For more information, refer to the Biosecurity Act 2015.