The greater Sydney metropolitan region, including our own South West Sydney and Macarthur, produces an incredible $1.5 billion in food and agricultural products every year.
It produces 43 per cent of the NSW poultry, 31 per cent of egg production and 54 per cent of the state’s turf.
The region’s total gross agricultural production is estimated at $648 million a year.
The greater Sydney region represents 56.8 per cent of all vegetable farms in the state and 12 per cent of total NSW vegetable production value;
There’s obviously a lot at stake and now landholders in South West Sydney can look up the basics of best practice biosecurity with ease thanks to a newly developed handbook launched recently.
Developed by Greater Sydney Local Land Services, the handbook will also be translated into Arabic and Chinese to reach a larger demographic.
NSW Minister for Primary Industries Niall Blair said the Biosecurity Handbook was the first specialised resource of its kind specifically targeting land managers in Sydney.
“This handbook is an additional tool in the toolkit for local producers to help them reduce risks and enhance their ability to respond to biosecurity threats,” Mr Blair said.
“This is particularly important for those in the Greater Sydney region given their high density population and close proximity to our major ports.
“By following these practical guidelines, producers will help protect our agricultural markets and economy from the danger of new pests and diseases.”
Local Land Services biosecurity manager Graham Wilson reinforced the message that effective biosecurity is everyone’s business.
“The new NSW Biosecurity Act requires anyone who deals with biosecurity risks to take reasonable steps to manage them,” Mr Wilson said.
“This single piece of legislation provides our state with a modern approach to biosecurity to help us maintain our enviable market access, reputation for world class quality food and our unique natural environment.”
To find out more or to request a copy of the booklet contact Greater Sydney Local Land Services on 1300 795 299.
