The Australian Border Force (ABF) is a law enforcement agency that operates under the jurisdiction of the Australian Government`s Department of Home Affairs. Founded in 2015, the ABF is responsible for securing the country`s borders by detecting and deterring potential security threats.
Recently, the ABF has reached an agreement with the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment to strengthen Australia`s border controls and prevent the spread of harmful diseases. This agreement aims to protect the country`s agriculture and environment by ensuring that high-risk goods and travelers do not enter the country.
One of the key outcomes of this agreement is the improved sharing of information between the ABF and the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. This means that both agencies will have access to a wider range of data, including passenger and cargo manifests, to help identify potential biosecurity risks.
Under the agreement, the ABF will also have the authority to quarantine and destroy goods that are deemed to pose a risk to Australia`s agriculture and environment. This includes items such as prohibited items, undeclared food or plant material, and live animals.
Another important aspect of the agreement is the increased use of detector dogs at Australia`s airports and seaports. These highly trained dogs are able to detect food, plant material, and other items that may be carrying harmful disease or pests.
Overall, the Australian Border Force agreement is a significant step forward in protecting Australia`s borders from potential biosecurity threats. By improving information sharing, increasing the use of detector dogs and giving the ABF greater powers to quarantine and destroy high-risk goods, the agreement will help to safeguard Australia`s agriculture and environment for years to come.