Product Integrity, Animal and Plant Health
Welcome to the Biosecurity Services Group, a division within DAFF. The Biosecurity Services Group integrates the functions of the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service; Biosecurity Australia; the Product Integrity, Animal and Plant Health division; and the Quarantine and Biosecurity Policy Unit. The new structure will lead to better service delivery along the biosecurity continuum (pre-border, border and post-border) and improved biosecurity risk management.
More information on the Biosecurity Services Group.
Product Integrity Animal & Plant Health Division
Executive Manager, Tom Aldred
Switchboard Ph: +61 2 6272 3933
PIAPH is a division of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and incorporates the following branches:
- Food and Product Safety and Integrity
- Animal and Plant Health Policy Branch
- Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer
- Animal Welfare Branch
- Office of the Chief Plant Protection Officer
- Australian Plague Locust Commission
Food and Product Safety and Integrity
General Manager, Richard Souness
Switchboard Ph: +61 2 6272 3933
Email Food and Product Safety and Integrity
The Food and Product Safety and Integrity branch of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, contributes to the department’s involvement in the development and implementation of policies and programs on food regulation and safety. This includes food safety issues of national and international significance.
Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals
The National Registration Scheme for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (National Registration Scheme) was established under Commonwealth and State legislation and ensures that these products are:
- effective on target species
- safe when exposed to humans and non-target species either through direct exposure or residues in treated food stuffs
- environmental friendly, and
- labelled and packaged correctly.
National Residue Survey
Director, Ian Reichstein
Switchboard Ph: +61 2 6272 3933
The primary purpose of the National Residue Survey is to facilitate key export and domestic market access for participating industries by providing:
- residue testing services that are technically sound, risk-based and structured to meet market requirements within the specified budget
- scientific and policy advice on residues and contaminants to the Australian government and industry
- support for industry quality assurance projects
- support in residue-related trade incidents
- an up-to-date database of residue test results for participating industries.
Codex Australia
Manager, Ann Backhouse
Switchboard Ph: +61 2 6272 3933
Codex Australia coordinates Australia's position on priority Codex standards. It expresses Australian views in Codex Alimentarius Commission forums and distributes documents under consideration to interested members of the food industry for comment.
Animal and Plant Health Policy Branch
General Manager, Dr Bob Biddle
Switchboard Ph: +61 2 6272 3933
The Animal and Plant Health Policy branch contributes to the Department’s involvement in the development, coordination and implementation of policies and programs on animal and plant health and animal welfare issues. Activities include:
- endemic disease policy and programs
- building and maintaining emergency management capacity, including communications
- funding and cost-sharing arrangements for emergency response activities
- Department liaison with joint industry-government bodies
- animal welfare policy and implementation of animal welfare initiatives
- secretariat services for national committees relating to animal health and welfare.
Emergency Preparedness and Outbreak Response
Emergency Risk Management Unit
Manager, Kathy Fife
Switchboard Ph: +61 2 6272 3933
The Emergency Risk Management Unit (ERMU) has primary responsibility to facilitate the department's emergency management prevention, preparedness and response activities. It also works cooperatively with other Australian government agencies, state and territory governments, industry bodies and international agencies to enhance both the national and international capacity to respond to emergencies that may adversely impact on Australia's agricultural industries.
Read more about our Emergency Preparedness and Outbreak Response activities.
For the latest on pest and disease incursions: www.outbreak.gov.au
Invasive Marine Species Program
Manager, Karina Scott
Switchboard Ph: +61 2 6272 3933
Fax: +61 2 6272 3150
The Invasive Marine Species Program leads the development and implementation of the National System for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pest Incursions. The National System encompasses prevention, emergency management, and ongoing management and control of marine pest incursions. Combined, these elements aim to protect Australia’s marine environment and industries from the threat of marine pests. The Invasive Marine Species Program also leads the Australian delegation in negotiations on the International Ballast Water Convention and biofouling management.
AusBIOSEC Taskforce
Manager, Carol Cribb
Switchboard Ph: + 61 2 6272 3933
The Australian Biosecurity System for Primary Production and the Environment (AusBIOSEC) is being enhanced through a whole-of-government project to extend existing biosecurity arrangements in the primary production sector to managing pests and diseases of the environment and social amenity. The AusBIOSEC Taskforce supports the Steering Group which oversights this project and is responsible for developing Australian Government policies to support the enhancement process.
Animal Health
Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Andy Carroll
Office of the Chief Veterinary officer
Switchboard Ph: +61 2 6272 3933
Email the OCVO
The OCVO facilitates the development of national policies and strategies and the provision of scientific advice to minimise the potential impacts of pests and diseases on Australia’s animal health (including aquatic animals).
Read more about the OCVO 
PDF [205kb]
Animal Welfare Branch
General Manager, Jim Paradice
Animal Welfare Branch
Switchboard Ph: +61 2 6272 3933
Email Animal Welfare
The Animal Welfare Unit, within the Animal and Plant Health Policy branch, works to contribute to the welfare of farm production animals and other animals. It contributes by facilitating the development and implementation of scientifically valid national policies, strategies and standards, and the promotion of Australia's position in international fora. Implementation of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy is a key activity of the branch.
Plant Health
Office of the Chief Plant Protection Officer (OCPPO)
Chief Plant Protection Officer, Lois Ransom
Switchboard Ph: +61 2 6272 3933
Email the OCPPO
OCPPO is the national and international focal point for plant health in Australia. The Office provides leadership for Australia’s plant health in primary industries. It works to underpin quarantine and facilitate domestic and international market access by:
- coordinating national technical and operational plant health policy
- managing and coordinating national responses to changes in plant health status in partnership with government and industry
- facilitating enhanced competency and capacity in plant health
- contributing to the development of plant health capacity within the region consistent with Australia’s international obligations and DAFF’s strategic objectives
- collating and managing information relevant to Australia’s plant health status, and
- coordinating Australia’s input into international plant protection policy and standards.
Australian Plague Locust Commission (APLC)
Manager, Chris Adriaansen
Switchboard Ph: +61 2 6272 3933
The Australian Plague Locust Commission (APLC) is responsible for monitoring locust populations in inland eastern Australia and for controlling outbreaks (to an acceptable level) that have the potential to inflict significant damage to agriculture in more than one member state as a result of population build-up and migration.
The APLC is jointly funded by the Australian Government and the member states of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland.
General enquiries: Switchboard +61 2 6272 3933
Locust reports: 1800 635 962 (toll free)
Email: General Enquiries or Locust Reports