Who do growers trust? Engaging biosecurity knowledges to negotiate risk management in the north Queensland banana industry, Australia

Abstract

A key issue for societal interaction with natural resources is to assess and manage incursions from pests and diseases. In this paper we focus on the biosecurity knowledge practices that are integral to the definition of invasive species and diseases, have impacts on the health of humans, natural and agricultural environments, and create policy problems for economy and society (Dixon, 2015). Rather than being an objective set of facts, theories and studies, biosecurity knowledge is a relational process. This process involves ongoing negotiations between diverse actors about what constitutes ‘good biosecurity’ (c.f. Hill, 2015). Negotiations are mediated between actors operating within different spheres of influence in their attempt to ‘make life safe’ (Higgins et al., 2016; Hinchcliffe et al., 2008; Hinchcliffe and Lavau, 2013). Multiple and sometimes contradictory biosecurity knowledges can be traced in different management narratives. These narratives, which are based on differing perceptions of ‘danger’, ‘threat’, ‘risk’ and ‘disease’ (Collier et al., 2004), influence biosecurity implementation programs (e.g. Robinson, 2017).