Biosecurity

Biosecurity is fundamental for safeguarding our valuable agricultural resources against the threat and impacts of pests, weeds and diseases (pests).

Biosecurity is the management of the risk of animal and plant pests and diseases entering, emerging, establishing or spreading in Western Australia, to protect our economy, environment and the community.

To protect Western Australian agricultural industries from pests the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia:

Works with stakeholders to identify and manage biosecurity risks.
Develops legislation.
Establishes import controls.
Conducts inspections.
Provides quarantine services as required.

To find out more about what we do to protect agricultural production and export opportunities within the State please search our website.

Articles

How to avoid poisoning of livestock by blue-green algae

2 December 2014

Blue-green algae are a group of algae including Nodularia spumigena, Microcystis aeruginosa and Anabaena circinalis.
Bovine pestivirus or bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) and mucosal disease in cattle

27 November 2013

Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) in cattle is a complex disease that is caused by bovine pestivirus.
Registering as an owner of stock or as a beekeeper

16 December 2013

All livestock owners and beekeepers within Western Australia (WA) must be registered and their stock identified in accordance with the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management (Identification and Mov
Anthrax

14 September 2015

Anthrax is a bacterial disease of animals, most commonly seen in cattle, sheep and goats.
Livestock ownership, identification and movement in Western Australia

5 December 2013

Western Australia (WA) has a mandatory livestock ownership, identification and movement system.
Pink eye in cattle

15 December 2013

Pink eye or infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) is a common and contagious eye condition that affects cattle of all ages. It is most commonly seen in calves and young stock.
State Barrier Fence Esperance extension update

8 January 2014

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) proposes to extend the State Barrier Fence eastwards from its current termination point near Ravensthorpe, extending north arou
Johne’s Beef Assurance Score (J-BAS) and what it means for WA producers

18 May 2017

This web page provides a summary of the key points about how the Johne's Beef Assurance Score (J-BAS) applies to Western Australian cattle producers.
Great Southern Cattle Surveillance Network

17 September 2018

Cattle producers in the shires of Albany, Denmark and Plantagenet in Western Australia now have the opportunity to join a new pilot surveillance network for cattle health that uses a simple SMS sys
Preventing calf scours in beef herds

28 November 2013

‘Calf scours’ is when young calves develop diarrhoea and become dehydrated. The scour can be white, yellow, grey or blood-stained, and is often foul-smelling.