Sneak Peek
Understand the Scope and Nature of Biological Threats
Biosecurity threats are real, complex, and constantly evolving. They can impact plants, animals, natural ecosystems, and human health - often with far-reaching and irreversible consequences. From invasive pests and plant diseases to animal health emergencies, effective biosecurity is essential to protecting industries, environments, and communities.
This course focuses on the core pillars of biosecurity management:
- Identifying types of threats before they escalate
- Reducing risks through practical, evidence-based strategies
- Responding effectively to biosecurity breaches when prevention fails
COURSE CONTENT
This course contains 7 lessons.
LESSON 1 WHAT IS BIOSECURITY?
- Introduction
- Preventing Introduction
- Controlling Spread
- Reviewing Policies and Practices
- Preventing Virus Vectors
- Risk Management
- Biosecurity on Farms
- Legislative Framework
- Community Consultation and Engagement
- Strengthening Biosecurity Practices for Land Managers
- Multiple Pathways to Biosecurity Threats
- Invasive Species
- Practical Biosecurity Strategies for Land Managers
LESSON 2 BIOSECURITY THREATS
- Introduction
- Major Threats
- Increased Global Interactivity and Interdependence
- Climate Change
- Changes in Land Use
- Invasive Pests and Diseases
- Criminal Activities
- Major Threats To The Biosecurity System
- Increasing Complexity of Global Supply Chains
- Lack of Funding
- Lack of International Cooperation
- The Impacts of Biosecurity Threats
- Threats to Human Health
- Economic Impact
- Agricultural Impacts
- Environmental Damage
- Food Security
- Emerging Biosecurity Challenges
- Biotechnologies
- Weaponisation & Bioterrorism
- Human Behaviour and Emerging Biosecurity Pathways
- Case Study: Managing Biosecurity in a Mixed-Use Farming Region
LESSON 3 MONITORING THREATS
- Introduction
- Detection
- Upon detection act swiftly
- Alerts of Threats
- Testing for Biosecurity Threats
- Other examples of diagnostics
- Practical strategies for detecting and managing emerging
biosecurity risks
- Community-Led Surveillance
- Data Integration and Predictive Monitoring
- Emerging Technologies for Biosecurity Monitoring
- Early-Warning Systems and Rapid Response
- Continuous Learning and Adaptation
- Case Example: Integrated Pest Detection in a Horticultural
Region
LESSON 4 PREVENTING BIOSECURITY THREATS
- Introduction
- Developing a Biosecurity Management Plan for a Site
- Understand your responsibilities
- Other Documents and Procedures
- Applying biosecurity measures
- understand the Site’s Biosecurity Rules and Documentation
- Cultural Aspects
- Encouraging trust, collaboration, and participation
- Regulations
- Embracing New Developments
- Isolation and quarantine procedures
- On-farm controls
- Strengthening Preventative Biosecurity Controls
- Strengthening Biosecurity Through Operational Controls
LESSON 5 BIOSECURITY TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES
- Introduction
- Detection Methods, Tools and Screening
- Surveillance and field-based screening
- Screening
- Water Treatment System
- Physical Controls
- Cleaning Chemicals
- Natural vs. Synthetic
- General Procedure
- Cleaning products – HAZARDS CHECK
LESSON 6 RESPONDING TO BIOSECURITY BREACHES
- Introduction
- Powers
- Detection and Reporting Trigger
- Steps in biosecurity breach responses
LESSON 7 REVIEWING BIOSECURITY SYSTEMS
- Introduction
- Significant Strategies for Responsiveness
- International Collaboration
- Science & Technology
- Skilled Workforce
- Shared Responsibilities and Awareness
- Adaptive Funding
- Comprehensive Reviews
- Reporting
- Maintaining Records
LEARNNING AIMS
- Explain appropriate biosecurity management measures used for
protecting threats specifically within land based industries including
agriculture, horticulture and wild plant and animal populations.
- Discuss the purpose, scope and nature of biosecurity
management
- Determine threats to biosecurity
- Identify/detect biosecurity incursions
- Establish preventative controls over biosecurity threats
- Determine appropriate tools, equipment and techniques used
to manage biosecurity in different contexts
- Manage biosecurity risks and breaches to prevent the spread
of harmful pests, diseases, and contaminants
- Ensure the system remains responsive to emerging risks and
global trendS
Why Study Biosecurity Management?
Biosecurity is relevant in many industries including health, agriculture, horticulture, and environmental and wildlife management. Practicing biosecurity can impact or be impacted by many things, including:
- Food safety.
- Zoonoses (infectious diseases that spread from animals to humans).
- Introduction of plant and animal diseases.
- Introduction of problematic animals, plants or other organisms including pests and weeds.
- Release of the products of Genetically Modified Organisms (LMOs).
- Monitoring and surveillance programs.
- Research and diagnostic tools and capacities.
- Scenario planning and simulation exercises.
- Ongoing training for relevant personnel, e.g., farmers, border security staff, scientists, etc.
Whether you’re a farmer, scientist, border security professional, policy advisor, or environmental manager, this course will make your work more effective and your decisions more resilient.
Don’t wait for a crisis to expose the gaps. Invest in the knowledge that prevents them.
Enroll now and become part of the solution safeguarding our food systems, communities, and environments.
