Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility
Arrive clean, leave clean
By Rachael Oxborrow
Awareness of biosecurity risks when entering properties as hunters is an important part of protecting our relationship with landowners.
People and vehicles carry weeds, pests, and diseases without even knowing it, and simple measures – such as asking the landowner about any specific requirements – are a surefire way to maintain good working relationships.
With hunting being one of the primary reasons for firearm ownership across much of the country, making ourselves safe, ethical, and biosecurity-aware hunters contributes to the broader perception of our community among the non-firearm-owning public.
In Queensland, for instance, this is particularly important, as hunting is restricted to privately-owned land with the landholder’s express permission; hunting on Crown Land is not permitted at all.
All Queenslanders have a general biosecurity obligation under the Queensland Biosecurity Act to prevent risks that are within our control and that we know about or should reasonably be expected to know about.
Biosecurity Measures for Hunters
From an outsider’s perspective, the simple actions a visitor can take when entering and exiting a property may seem insignificant, but they are the measures that matter.
- Ensure clothing, footwear, and tools are free of soil or plant matter before entering or leaving the property.
- Carry supplies to clean boots, outerwear, tires, and wheel arches, and make sure they are clean before entering and leaving a property.
- Inspect your vehicle before entering the property. Look at wheel arches, mud flaps, axles, and spare tires (if suspended under the vehicle), and check inside the vehicle for mud and debris on carpets.
- Check in with the landowner regarding any biosecurity requirements, such as vehicle movements and livestock locations.
- Notify the landowner if you have recently been overseas and avoid wearing clothing or footwear that you have worn abroad. While Australia has one of the strictest border-control systems in the world, there is always a risk that an exotic pest could enter the country.
Weeds, pests, and diseases cost the agriculture sector about $12 billion annually. Although these costs are rising, they are managed more effectively when all Australians take biosecurity seriously.
When weeds, pests, or diseases spread in Australia, they can have devastating effects on our environment, animals, and economy by reducing access to international markets and causing production losses.
Helping Landowners
As hunters often move across large areas of a property, we can support landowners in their biosecurity efforts.
This can include:
- Reporting boundary fencing issues, which are vital to keeping livestock in the right locations.
- Keeping a lookout and reporting animals (either livestock or pest animals) that appear unwell or exhibit unusual characteristics.
- Familiarising yourself with significant weeds and informing landowners if you notice anything unusual.
The federal government’s biosecurity website is a wealth of information, providing methods for landowners and the public to report concerns and contribute to Australia’s biosecurity strength.
These biosecurity measures complement SSAA Queensland’s Code of Ethics, Rules of Hunting Etiquette, and sustainable wildlife management practices.
A popular way for SSAA Queensland members to get involved in hunting is through the SSAA Farmer Assist program.
SSAA Farmer Assist
The SSAA Farmer Assist program provides farmers and landholders with a simple way to find qualified hunters to volunteer for pest control and/or conservation activities.
The program features a unique online portal that acts as an introductory service. Farmers and landholders register and use the program’s ‘Jobs Board’ to seek help with problem wildlife. Once a request is posted on the Jobs Board, only registered members approved for the program can respond, allowing landowners to review applications and select the members they wish to contact.
For members, there is a four-step process to register for the program and apply for jobs in their area as they become available:
1. Read the Complete Program Booklet and commit to the program’s safety, animal welfare, and ethical hunting requirements.
2. Attend a SSAA range and complete a self-guided shooting competency assessment using the approved SSAA Farmer Assist Assessment Target. If you are a subscriber to a Conservation & Wildlife Management (CWM) branch, you do not need to undertake the competency test.
3. Once the shooting competency is completed, fill out the online sign-up form and upload a digital copy of the assessment target to complete registration. Save a copy of this target for your records.
4. Check the Farmer Assist job’s page and start exploring the job’s board, ready to respond to suitable jobs.
Hunters as Responsible Environmentalists
Whether hunters operate independently, through CWM, or via the Farmer Assist program in Queensland, biosecurity is an essential aspect of our work. The fundamentals of hunting already support biosecurity, with our commitment to protecting the environment and native animals from pest animal impacts extending to safeguarding land from weeds, pests, and diseases beyond just the animals we target.
Remember to spot and report anything unusual. If you notice a pest or disease that may affect human health, social amenity, the economy, or the environment, report it immediately to Biosecurity Queensland at 13 25 23.
