The Northern Territory Government is partnering with the NT Cattleman's Association (NTCA) to ensure pastoralists are equipped with a comprehensive understanding of how an Emergency Animal Disease response would operate in the Northern Territory to protect the Territory's billion-dollar cattle industry.
The Territory's Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Rob Williams, is joining the NTCA to deliver emergency animal disease training across all NT regions throughout October with a training session held at the Berrimah Research Farm in Darwin this week.
The Industry Biosecurity Response Readiness Training sessions will also be held in locations across the Territory including Top Springs, Timber Creek, Katherine Research Station, Daly Waters, Barkly Homestead, Tennant Creek, and Alice Springs.
The training covers on-property actions, outlines the coordination of an animal disease response at both Territory and Commonwealth levels, and provides pastoralists the opportunity to hear directly from the Territory's Chief Veterinarian.
Northern Territory producers, land managers, researchers, industry professionals and community members can find out more about biosecurity alerts and other information by visiting nt.gov.au/environment/biosecurity
Quotes attributable to NT Chief Veterinarian Rob Williams:
"Protecting the Territory's cattle industry from biosecurity threats is a priority for the Territory Government and the NTCA, with the agriculture and fisheries sectors worth $1.3 billion to the NT economy.
"This training will provide greater awareness for pastoralists, and those involved in the cattle industry about how a biosecurity incursion could affect their operations and the wider industry impacts.
"This is a unique opportunity to work with pastoralists on emergency animal disease training and it emphasises how important the agriculture sector is to the Territory economy."
Quotes attributable to Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association Deputy CEO, Romy Carey:
"This training is specifically designed to give senior industry representatives a thorough understanding of how an Emergency Animal Disease response would unfold in the Northern Territory.
"It provides practical insights into on-property actions and ensures understanding of the coordination frameworks of both the Territory and Federal governments.
"Developed in response to an identified gap in awareness, the program will be delivered to more than 70 participants in October, with face-to-face sessions to be delivered from the right across the NT."
