The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries is a department of the
Queensland Government which aims to maximise the economic potential for
Queensland's
primary industries on a
sustainable basis through strategic industrial development. The section known as Biosecurity Queensland is responsible for
biosecurity matters within the state.
The department was formerly known (with varying responsibilities) as:
Department of Agriculture (17 June 1887 – 1 January 1904)[1]
Department of Agriculture and Stock (1 January 1904 – 26 September 1963)[2]
Department of Primary Industries (26 September 1963 – 26 February 1996)[3][4]
Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries and Forestry (26 February 1996 – 29 June 1998)[5]
Department of Primary Industries (29 June 1998 – 12 February 2004)[6]
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (12 February 2004 – 25 March 2009)[7]
Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (25 March 2009 – 3 April 2012)[8]
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (3 April 2012 – 16 February 2015)[9]
after which it assumed its current identity Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.[10]
Functions
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry provides expertise and support that increases primary industries productivity, expands markets and assists with adaption to change.[11] It conducts research, policy advice, protects against pests and diseases, maintains
animal welfare standards, as well as managing fisheries.
History
The first functions of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry began in 1855 when a
sheep scab inspector began work in the New South Wales colony of
Moreton Bay. After Queensland's
Separation, livestock diseases were addressed through regulations administered by the Stock Branch in the Queensland Colonial Secretary's Office.[12] The Stock Branch was established by the Queensland chief inspector of stock
Patrick Robertson Gordon.[13]
The Biosecurity Queensland section[14] is responsible for coordinating efforts to minimise the risks and effects of threatening pests and diseases.[15] Biosecurity Queensland is responsible for
weed management in the state.[16]
In 2009, Primary Industries and Fisheries (now Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) together with the
University of Queensland were granted federal funding to study how
methane emissions from cattle and sheep could be reduced.[20]
^Alison Clark (8 December 2009).
"Our history". Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation. Archived from
the original on 13 April 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
^"Biosecurity". Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland. 2 October 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
^Karl Sismey (25 November 2011).
"About Biosecurity". Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation. Archived from
the original on 25 January 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2012.