Public consultation on a draft Biosecurity Bill that will enable a modern approach to biosecurity management in South Australia is now open.

The new Bill will consolidate several existing Acts covering plant health, livestock, the dog fence, management of stray stock and relevant provisions of fisheries legislation, bringing consistency to biosecurity management across industries.

The proposed Bill aims to provide a contemporary framework to strengthen protection of South Australia’s economy, terrestrial and aquatic environments and community from pests, diseases, and other biosecurity matters.

It is important everyone has an opportunity to provide feedback on the Biosecurity Bill, as the State’s biosecurity affects everyone.

The draft Bill features the concepts of shared responsibility and a general biosecurity duty across industry, government and the community.

Under the proposed Bil everyone has a duty to prevent, eliminate, minimise, control, or management biosecurity risks.

South Australians are encouraged to consider the bill ad provide feedback.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said the government’s reform agenda continued with this “very important legislation that not only consolidates several significant Acts but will also provide greater clarity and recognises that biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility”.

“It will also introduce contemporary methods to manage biosecurity risks and resulting impacts in South Australia, thereby reflecting new and evolving challenges while leveraging advances made in the field,” she said.

“Consultation has been extensive but focused on key stakeholder groups to this point.

“Because the new Bill will have direct impact on primary producers, industry, and the community it is very important that a wide range of people now provide feedback to inform final drafting of the new Bill before it is introduced into Parliament.”

The draft Biosecurity Bill, an explanatory guide and other supporting documents are available for viewing online at YourSAy, https://yoursay.sa.gov.au/biosecuritybill and the page will also provide information about online webinars, which will allow opportunities for queries to be discussed with representatives from the Department of Primary Industries and Regions.

Feedback is to be submitted via a survey form on the YourSAy page, making the process simple.

Feedback received will be collated and analysed to inform final drafting of the Biosecurity Bill before it is presented to Parliament.

The public consultation closes at 11.59pm on September 26.