THE NEW FACE OF BIOSECURITY

Young women are a strong presence in the record number of young biosecurity inspectors to have come on board with the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries this year.

Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said he was pleased to see more and more enthusiastic young women working in western Queensland.

“Western Queensland has always been a key training ground for new biosecurity inspectors,” Mr Mulherin said.

“The Department has young inspectors based in Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Hughenden and Quilpie.

“As staff members mature and have families, they often prefer to relocate nearer the coast. Therefore junior biosecurity inspector vacancies occur more often in western Queensland.

“This trend is not new by any means. The difference is the large number of young women keen to take up positions in rural and remote areas.

“Young women now want to be biosecurity inspectors as well as young men.”

Four permanent biosecurity inspector positions have recently been filled. Megan Debney in Mount Isa, Carlea Blair in Hughenden, Andrea Hewitt in Quilpie and Chris Inwood in Cloncurry.

DPI&F biosecurity regional manager, Janet Berry said priority biosecurity operations in 2006 included surveillance for animal disease, ensuring compliance with the National Livestock Identification System, preparedness for animal disease emergencies, animal welfare education and the investigation of reported animal welfare incidents.

“Other responsibilities for biosecurity staff include safe chemical use and the investigation of residues detected in animals, livestock identification and traceability, supervising cattle tick clearance, and the implementation of the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme,” she said.

“Senior DPI&F officers train these young inspectors in all areas of biosecurity work.

“Other training is delivered through workshops or in the field where disease investigations and post-mortems are best delivered through one-on-one training with an experienced stock inspector.”

Mr Mulherin said DPI&F West Region employs over 80 staff at 13 offices and two research stations across western Queensland and continues to support industry development from production to consumption.


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