March 13, 2024

CSIRO launches US$36.3 million initiative to protect Australian crops, livestock

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia's national science agency, has unveiled an over AUD 55 million (US$36.3 million) initiative, Catalysing Australia's Biosecurity (CAB), which aims to protect Australia's native species, crops, livestock and food supply, CSIRO reported.

The initial co-investment will spread over six years from various stakeholders, including CSIRO, government bodies, industry players, and other partners. This initiative aims to fortify the nation's biosecurity defences and align research and development efforts with the country's National Biosecurity Strategy.

In conjunction with the Australian government's announcement of an additional AUD 1 billion (US$661 million) in biosecurity funding over the next four years, CAB, co-led by CSIRO and the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), is poised to enhance coordination and advance biosecurity research outcomes.

CSIRO's chief executive, Dr Doug Hilton, underscored the critical importance of biosecurity in safeguarding Australia's biodiversity, food security, and public health. He emphasised the need for robust, world-class, science-based defences to address evolving biosecurity challenges.

DAFF Secretary and Director of Biosecurity, Adam Fennessy PSM, hailed CAB as a transformative initiative set to revolutionise Australia's biosecurity landscape, aligning with the National Biosecurity Strategy's long-term vision of an integrated and science-driven biosecurity system.

The initial projects under CAB encompass a range of innovative endeavours, including preparedness for emergency animal diseases, implementation of cutting-edge technologies like BeeRight and eDNA for pest detection, and the establishment of a real-time biosecurity alerts service in collaboration with Atlas of Living Australia.

Drawing on advancements in AI, machine learning, genomics, robotics, and other emerging technologies, CAB aims to bolster biosecurity capabilities while fostering collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It also seeks to promote regional prosperity and security, offering new funding avenues for small and medium-sized enterprises.

-      CSIRO