Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld)

Biosecurity Act 2014

An Act to provide for a comprehensive biosecurity framework to manage the impacts of animal and plant diseases and pests in a timely and effective way and ensure the safety and quality of animal feed, fertilisers and other agricultural inputs

Chapter 1 Preliminary

Part 1 Introduction

1 Short title This Act may be cited as the Biosecurity Act 2014.

2 Commencement (1) This Act commences on a day to be fixed by proclamation. (2) However, if no day has been fixed by 1 July 2016, the Act commences on that day. (3) The Acts Interpretation Act 1954, section 15DA does not apply to this Act.

3 Simplified outline of main provisions of Act (1) Chapter 1 describes the purposes and scope of the Act and defines key concepts. (2) Chapter 2 imposes— (a) a general biosecurity obligation on persons dealing with biosecurity matter or a carrier of biosecurity matter; and (b) other obligations in relation to biosecurity matter that is prohibited or restricted matter; and (c) obligations on persons to notify an inspector about particular incidents. (3) Chapter 3 establishes the functions and obligations of local governments and continues the Land Protection Fund. (4) Chapter 4 deals with invasive animal boards and barrier fencing. (5) Chapter 5 provides for codes of practice and guidelines to be made under this Act. (6) Chapter 6 establishes procedures for dealing with biosecurity emergencies and risks. (7) Chapter 7 provides for the registration of entities and places and a system for the identification and tracking of particular animals. (8) Chapter 8 creates a permit process to allow particular dealings with biosecurity matter that is prohibited or restricted matter. (9) Chapter 9 provides for the making of programs for the surveillance, and prevention and control, of biosecurity risks. (10) Chapter 10 provides for persons appointed to perform functions under the Act to exercise powers and enter places, seize things and obtain information. (11) Chapter 11— (a) establishes a scheme for payment of statutory compensation for particular damage or loss arising from action taken under this Act; and (b) deals with the effect of industry compensation schemes on statutory compensation. (12) Chapter 12 deals with evidence, legal proceedings and the review of decisions made under the Act. (13) Chapter 13 provides for the giving of biosecurity orders to persons to deal with biosecurity risks. (14) Chapter 14 empowers the State to enter into agreements with other jurisdictions, local governments, industry bodies and natural resource management bodies to achieve the purposes of, and ensure compliance with, this Act. (15) Chapter 15 provides for an accreditation scheme to enable convenient and efficient compliance with, or exemption from, particular requirements of this Act. (16) Chapter 16 establishes auditing processes for accreditations given, and agreements made, under this Act. (17) Chapter 17 provides for the amendment, suspension and cancellation of particular authorities granted under this Act. (18) Chapter 18 deals with miscellaneous matters for the administration of this Act. (19) Chapter 19 repeals particular Acts and provides for savings and transitional matters.