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Biosecurity course to address growing threat

October 12, 2006

Biohazard bagA new course has been established at the University of New England to address the growing threat of biological contamination in Australia.

The new course, a Graduate Certificate in Rural Science (Biosecurity), is aimed at people working in customs, quarantine and national parks, among other fields, and is intended to equip them with the knowledge they need to combat such biological threats as bird flu and introduced pests.

Several Australian universities have introduced undergraduate courses in biosecurity but most of them will not produce their first graduates until 2010. The Graduate Certificate in Rural Science (Biosecurity) can be completed in as little as six months, and will therefore provide a quick answer to Australia's growing demand for biosecurity experts, according to Professor Acram Taji, coordinator of the new course.

“We have already had quite a number of enquiries from people working in quarantine and related fields,” Professor Taji said. “We've also had interest from researchers with the Department of Primary Industries. If you are bringing plant materials into the country for research it is important that you have an understanding of biosecurity issues.”

Professor Taji has also had enquiries from further afield, including Guyra hydroponic glasshouse tomato growers and Withcott nurseries in Queensland, who are concerned about the biosecurity implications of importing seeds for their produce.

“Although these seeds may have been fumigated, it is still possible they could contain undesirable foreign objects bringing diseases into Australia,” Professor Taji said.

Professor Taji said the cane toad plague was a good example of what happened when people failed to pay attention to biosecurity. “When we are taking steps such as introducing predators, we need to have an understanding of biosecurity issues, so we can avoid repeating mistakes like the introduction of cane toads,” she said.

Anyone interested in applying for the course should contact the UNE Student Centre on (0) 6773 4444.

For more information contact Professor Acram Taji on (02) 6773 2869 or Leon Braun (UNE Public Relations) on (02) 6773 3771. A photo is available to accompany this story.

Posted by Leon Braun at October 12, 2006 04:26 PM