National science agency program to boost Australian biosecurity

Canberra [Australia], March 6: Australia's national science agency has announced a new initiative to boost the country's biosecurity.
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) on Tuesday launched the Catalyzing Australia's Biosecurity (CAB) program.
Under the new program, the CSIRO, federal government and industry partners will invest 55 million Australian dollars (35.7 million U.S. dollars) over the next six years in innovative projects to strengthen Australia's biosecurity defense and better align biosecurity research and development to achieve the goals of the 2022 National Biosecurity Strategy.
Doug Hilton, chief executive of the CSIRO, said in a media release that it was critical for Australia to have robust science-based biosecurity defenses, processes and protections.
"Biosecurity is on the front line of keeping Australia and Australians safe, it means protecting Australia's unique biodiversity, ensuring our food security and minimizing the risk of the transmission of infectious diseases," he said.
The initial group of innovative CAB projects include investment in preparations for animal disease outbreaks, the deployment of advanced pest management systems and developing an Australian Biosecurity Research Database.
The initiative is expected to utilize cutting-edge developments in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, drones, biological solutions and machine learning.
The 10-year National Biosecurity Strategy warned that Australia is facing biosecurity threats that are becoming increasingly complex and harder to manage.
It identified building stronger partnerships at local, regional, national and international levels and coordinating the preparedness for, and response to, biosecurity threats as priority areas for action.
Source: Xinhua