Weed and Seed Training

Weed and Seed Training is Important because it

• Supports biosecurity management efforts and minimise risks of non-compliance with country and state legal requirements
• You learn about the human impact on how pathogens and seeds can travel and the implications
• It helps ensure appropriate risk minimisation to landowners as part of operation responsibilities
• Organisations build staff skills to understand and abide by important safe work practices

Your issued certificate number is the number to use on the weed hygiene declaration. You will find it at the lower half of your issued certificate.

A vehicle or machinery inspection is the detailed inspection of all parts of a machine. Its goal being to locate potentially very small particles (weeds, seeds and any other pathogen) that could be transported to another site. The inspection procedure will indicate all the areas to be inspected as well as how to inspect them. This is often associated with the procedure to subsequently clean and remove any biosecurity hazards.

A weed and seed washdown is the process of completely washing, from top to bottom, inside and out a piece of machinery or vehicle. Effective washdowns are very important due to the almost microscopic nature of some pathogens and seeds. It is a process that requires a high attention to detail. Weed & seed wash downs can only be performed by those who have the nationally accredited Statement of Attainment for AHCBIO203

In addition to Work Health and safety protocols, specific biosecurity legislation exists and organisations operating across multiple work sites – particularly in regional or remote areas have additional obligations. Some core Acts include:

1 – Biosecurity Act 2014 – Biosecurity Act 2015  – Under the Biosecurity Act everyone has a general biosecurity obligation (GBO) to prevent or minimise the risks of spreading weeds. Under the Act, certain species of invasive plants are listed as restricted biosecurity matter – because of their adverse impact in QLD. The Act requires everyone to take all reasonable and practical measures to minimise the biosecurity risks associated with invasive plants and animals under their control. This is called a general biosecurity obligation (GBO). Clearly, companies and workers operating in areas where these invasive plants exist thus have an obligation to stop the spread – and is a key reason to participate in Weed and Seed Training.

2 Mineral Resources Acts – Land Access Code. Under the Land Access Code, a resource authority holder may need to provide a landholder with a copy of the clean-down record. Examples and approaches to completion and compliance are an important component within the Harness Weed and Seed Course.