The Biosecurity Queensland Ministerial Advisory Council (BQMAC) is made up of representatives from Local Government, industry, resource management and animal welfare bodies.
Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland, Tim Mulherin said BQMAC provided a forum for exchanging information and views on biosecurity policies, programs and services.
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“The Ministerial Advisory Council will provide independent advice on the direction, priorities and balance of effort for biosecurity in Queensland,” Mr Mulherin said.
“The members of the Council are from a diverse range of bodies which will provide valuable advice on Biosecurity issues facing the State.”
He said advice from the Council would be essential to develop future policy around biosecurity threats such as fire ants and the Hendra virus.
“Importantly, this is an opportunity for Biosecurity Queensland to build relationships and communicate issues with industry, Local Governments, stakeholders, and the community,” Mr Mulherin said.
Former president of AgForce, Peter Kenny has been appointed Chair of the Council.
Other members include Brendan McNamara (Local Government Association Queensland); John Bishop (Growcom); Andrew Drysdale (Regional Natural Resource Management Groups Collective); Stephen Murphy (Queensland Seafood Industry Association); John Cotter (AgForce); Al Mucci (Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria - Queensland); Tim Low (Queensland Conservation Council); Trevor Robinson (Queensland Indigenous Working Group); Gary Sansom (Queensland Farmers’ Federation); Mandy Symons (RSPCA); and experts in biosecurity - Diane Sheehan, Peter Milne, Margaret Britz, Peter Allsopp and Kareena Arthy.
The first meeting of the Ministerial Advisory Council is to be held on 18 June in Brisbane.
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