September 13, 2010
NT revises its biosecurity system
The Northern Territory (NT) government of Australia has started reviewing its biosecurity processes for the first time in 15 years.
The review follows a rise in the number of pest and disease outbreaks such as hendra virus and tramp ants in northern Australia over the past few years.
Andrew Tomkins, from the NT Department of Resources, says the review was prompted by a nation-wide debate on biosecurity.
"A number of other states have already developed state biosecurity strategies, but we're also very conscious of the fact that in the Northern Territory, we are in northern Australia, and really are at the frontline for biosecurity for the whole country."