Biosecurity cuts increase disease risks
The CSIRO has put Australia on notice that the risk of a human disease pandemic or devastating blow to agriculture is growing by the day.
It warned existing biosecurity processes and practices might not be enough to protect Australia in the face of emerging threats highlighted by the Ebola crisis.
In a major report due for release today, it spells out the growing threat, including 12 potential "megashocks".
It describes diseases that can pass from animals to humans as one of the biggest threats to life and warns poorly managed agricultural production, increased global travel and declining biosecurity safeguards will increase the risk of a pandemic.
CSIRO biosecurity science director Gary Fitt also took a swipe at State-based agencies for cutting back on biosecurity at a time of greater risk.
"The overall level of investment in biosecurity science and delivery of biosecurity has declined, particularly in State agencies where there have been significant cuts over the past couple of years," Dr Fitt said.
Unions and farm lobby groups have repeatedly warned about cuts at the Department of Agriculture and Food WA where full-time animal biosecurity staff have been reduced from 209 in 1989 to fewer than 90.
Auditor-General Colin Murphy released a damning report last year, which found big holes in the management of plant and animal pests that have a foothold in WA.
The CSIRO report, Australia's Biosecurity Future, found the nation had been spared from megashocks but a "relatively fortunate history" was no excuse for complacency. "Sixty per cent of all emerging infectious diseases that affect humans are derived from animals and are so-called zoonotic diseases," Dr Fitt said.
"Avian (bird) influenza is a good example."
The report presents a scenario where a new strain of avian influenza evolves and threatens human health and warns Australia's health system would struggle to cope.
