VICTORIA’S Livestock Biosecurity Funds Grant Program has been launched with priority investment areas for projects that prevent, monitor and control diseases.

Victoria’s Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes’ launched the program today.

Her office’s media release said changes to legislation last year through the Primary Industries Legislation Amendment Act 2019 mean that more money is available for programs, particularly for cattle, sheep and goat industries.

The 2020 Livestock Biosecurity Funds Grant Program has been developed in partnership with the livestock compensation advisory committees for cattle, sheep and goat, swine and honey bees.

Applications for the grants program are open and will run until 26 June. Grants are available for projects that provide innovative solutions, use emerging technologies and resolve livestock biosecurity issues, needs or gaps for local industries.

Grants have previously funded projects such as anthrax vaccinations for swine, significant disease investigation training for veterinarians and educational events for peri-urban producers.

Ms Symes said biosecurity is fundamental to the wellbeing and prosperity of our agricultural sector.

“Exotic pests and diseases can threaten this – so we need to be proactive in developing the best defences possible.”

“We have a track record in Victoria in identifying and managing biosecurity risks, but we are always facing new threats,” she said.

“This grants program will help us meet those emerging challenges.”

Applications are being invited from the private sector, universities and research institutions, co-operatives and local government.

Eligible applicants include entities with a valid Australian Business Number (ABN), including private sector businesses, universities and research institutions, cooperatives where the objectives of the cooperative align with the program, local governments and incorporated associations. Ineligible applicants include individuals/sole traders, trusts, partnerships, state government entities and federal government entities.

Click here for more details on how to apply for the biosecurity grants.