Indonesia, Australia eye to enhance biosecurity partnership

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Agricultural Quarantine Agency (Barantin) and Australia's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry (DAFF) agreed to enhance cooperation to improve biosecurity and quarantine systems, as well as market access for animal, fish, and plant products.

Barantin Head Sahat M. Panggabean stated that biosecurity is not solely about national protection but also forms the basis for safe, sustainable, and science-based trade.

"This partnership is focused not only on risk management but also on strengthening compliance, transparency, and trust in international trade systems," Sahat stated during the closing of a biosecurity collaboration workshop between DAFF Australia and Barantin in Jakarta on Wednesday.

He noted that key issues discussed between DAFF and Barantin included sanitary and phytosanitary measures across the entire biosecurity chain, diagnostic testing, and epidemiology capabilities, as well as the management of ballast water and biofouling, border operations, improved compliance, and law enforcement.

Sahat expressed hope that this meeting and agreement would result in a specific memorandum of understanding (MoU) between DAFF and Barantin on sanitary and phytosanitary cooperation for animal, fish, and plant quarantine.

"This collaboration aligns with the progress of free trade and trade facilitation," he remarked.

The partnership is also expected to strengthen electronic data exchange and information system networks for quarantine services and promote human resource development to achieve professional parity between the two countries.

Sahat emphasized that investing in better skills, systems, and standards is also an investment in regional resilience.

"A strong quarantine system not only reduces the risks of pests and diseases but also sustains trust in food supply chains and international trade," Sahat concluded.

Meanwhile, DAFF Australia's Deputy Secretary for Biosecurity, Justine Saunders, who led the Australian delegation, emphasized that Indonesia–Australia biosecurity cooperation is crucial for strengthening mutual recognition and system equivalence in quarantine, facilitating trade, and ensuring the safety of both nations.