INVITATION TO JOIN
CONSULTATION REGISTER
Access to Biological Resources Permits
People with an interest in the conservation and management of genetic resources are invited to join the consultation register for Access to Biological Resources Permits.
The permits are required for the collection of biological resources from Commonwealth areas for the purpose of research and development into their genetic and biochemical makeup.
Once on the consultation register, you will be invited to comment on any permit application received which the Minister for the Environment believes is likely to result in a more than negligible environmental impact.
To register, please contact the Department of the Environment at grm@environment.gov.au or on 02 6274 1936. You will need to provide your name, organisation, address, contact number and email address. Involvement is on a voluntary basis.
More information on access to biological resources in Australia can be found at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/
science/access/index.html
Overview
The Biosecurity Act 2015 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to address significant gaps in the regulation and management of biosecurity risks associated with biological resources. The Act aims to safeguard Australia's environment, agriculture, and human health from the potential threats posed by invasive species, pests, and diseases that could be introduced through the movement of biological resources. By establishing a framework for the regulation of access to biological resources, the Act ensures that any research and development activities involving genetic and biochemical analysis are conducted in a manner that mitigates potential environmental impacts. The policy objective is to balance the need for scientific advancement with the imperative to protect Australia's ecosystems and biodiversity.
Scope and Application
The Access to Biological Resources Permits Act 2015 pertains to the regulation of permits required for the collection of biological resources from Commonwealth areas, with a specific focus on the research and development of their genetic and biochemical makeup. This legislation applies to individuals, organisations, and entities interested in the conservation and management of genetic resources, requiring them to obtain permits before collecting biological resources for research purposes. The Act extends its application to those who may be involved in transactions that involve the collection of such resources from Commonwealth areas, ensuring that all activities are conducted within the legal framework established to protect the environment and genetic heritage. The Act operates on a national level, governing activities within the Commonwealth jurisdiction and is inclusive of any subordinate instruments that may further define or refine the scope of the legislation. Individuals or entities seeking to engage in the collection of biological resources are required to join a consultation register, which allows them to be informed of and provide comments on permit applications that are likely to result in more than a negligible environmental impact. This provision ensures a collaborative approach to environmental protection and the responsible use of biological resources.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of this legislation invite individuals and organisations with an interest in the conservation and management of genetic resources to join the consultation register for Access to Biological Resources Permits (section 1). These permits are necessary for the collection of biological resources from Commonwealth areas for research and development purposes, focusing on their genetic and biochemical makeup (section 2). Once registered, individuals will be invited to comment on permit applications that the Minister for the Environment believes may result in more than a negligible environmental impact (section 3).
The Act imposes certain obligations and requirements on the parties or entities it governs. Those interested in participating in the consultation process must join the consultation register by providing their personal and contact details to the Department of the Environment (section 4). Additionally, registered individuals will be required to review and comment on relevant permit applications, ensuring that potential environmental impacts are considered and addressed (section 5). Participation in the consultation process is voluntary, and there are no mandatory actions imposed on the registrants beyond the provision of their contact information and potential commenting on permit applications (section 6).
The Act does not explicitly outline any offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach of its provisions. However, the Department of the Environment may consider unregistered individuals' comments on permit applications at their discretion (section 7). As such, failure to provide the necessary information to join the consultation register or to comment on permit applications when invited may result in a reduced influence on decision-making processes related to biological resource permits (section 8). It is important to note that the Act does not establish specific maximum penalties for non-compliance, as its primary focus is on facilitating consultation and promoting environmental protection in the context of biological resource management (section 9).