The Australian Rural & Outback Awards are now calling for nominations for farm biosecurity champions. The Farm Biosecurity Award, featured as part of the inaugural Australian Rural & Outback Awards, will be of interest to the many individuals and groups who are taking action to improve biosecurity practices and thereby safeguard their businesses and Australia's agricultural industries. One producer or enterprise will receive the inaugural Award.
People are encouraged to nominate anyone involved in agriculture and help promote biosecurity to a wider audience.
Other categories in the Australian Rural & Outback Awards, developed to recognise the achievements of people and their communities across rural and remote Australia, include:
·The Rural Skills Australia Agricultural and Rural Development Award
· The Department of Defence Youth Leadership Award
· The Golden Circle Health and Community Service Award
· The Canberra Institute of Technology Business, Training and Employment Award
Each Award winner will receive a $2,000 cheque and a hand crafted glass trophy to be presented at the Awards presentation in Canberra on 19 September 2009.
The Farm Biosecurity Award is a key element of the Farm Biosecurity program, a joint initiative of Plant Health Australia (PHA) and Animal Health Australia (AHA). Farm Biosecurity is a national education and engagement campaign which aims to help producers reduce the threat posed by diseases, pests and weeds.
Nominations for the Farm Biosecurity Award can be submitted online at
www.awardsaustralia.com/ROA.html, or you can phone 1300 735 445 for further information.
The closing date for nominations is 10 July 2009.
For more information to about the Farm Biosecurity program or resources to assist in implementing effective farm biosecurity practices, visit
http://www.farmbiosecurity.com.au/ and
www.daff.gov.au/biosecurity