Biosecurity and ag funding boost announced in NSW

In NSW, the Minns Labor Government has announced it will invest over $140 million of new funding measures to safeguard the future of the state's agricultural industry.

$100 million in new additional funding will be put towards strengthening the state’s biosecurity detection, protection and response - bringing the state's biosecurity budget to a historic $1.05 billion.

This funding will drive the development of a new, sustainable and integrated biosecurity model - enabling strengthening of surveillance and improve the state’s emergency response capacity in the event of a biosecurity incursion.

Another $41.2 million will be invested to modernise the primary industry research and development program, including upgrades to digital infrastructure to promote research in emerging areas such as AI assisted farming.

This funding will also support a graduate program to give a pathway to young scientists, ensuring NSW has a pipeline of skilled researchers, safeguarding the productivity and efficiency of our state’s agricultural industry into the future.

Following the announcing of this funding last Friday, NSW Farmers thanked the Minns Government the historic contribution.

NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said practical, long-term funding for biosecurity systems was long overdue, with feral animal species estimated to cost the state 500 million dollars in damages every year.

“Everything from feral pigs and fire ants to deer and wild dogs are causing grief everywhere we turn, and soon it won’t just affect our farming – it will affect our way of life,” Mr Martin said.

“Coordinated action to fight pests and weeds, continued funding to implement eID for sheep and goats, and supports to ensure we can prevent and respond to plant and animal disease incursions are what farmers need at a minimum to keep on farming.

“While we’re still unpacking the detail of this announcement and what it will mean for agriculture, we know investment in our biosecurity systems is what will strengthen our sector – and it is good to see our government commit to delivering that.”

Mr Martin also said research and development will be critical to agriculture in the future, with the state government urged to follow its latest investment in the space with further funding and resources.

“The hugely complex challenges to production that stem from emissions reduction, land use conflict and environmental conservation demand continued research and development if we want to keep our farmers farming,” Mr Martin said.

“Adequately resourced research and development has the potential to drive benefits not just in the paddock, but to the broader economy, and that must not be stifled in any way, shape or form.

“From better infrastructure to investment in the next generation, there’s so much to be done to secure a brighter future our farming communities, and we hope this is the start, not the end, of good news out of this year’s state budget.”