No images? Click here IPPC calls for Diagnostic Protocols author nominations The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat is seeking nominations for authors for the following IPPC Diagnostic Protocols:
Nominations are to be provided through the Australian IPPC contact point IPPC.contactpoint@aff.gov.au before Sunday, 15 September 2024. For details on how to nominate or apply, please visit the website via the button below. Virus curation guidelines now available on web Guidelines on the minimum requirements and best practices for vouchered viral specimens in plant pathogen reference collections are now available to download on the NPBDN website. Developed by Agriculture Victoria Research, the guidelines outline the baseline requirements of VirusCurateAU, the minimum requirements for vouchered viral specimens and their metadata, as well as best practices and standard operating procedures for viral isolate characterisation and characterization. Visit Reference Collections on the NPBDN website for access to additional resources. Free Varroa mite resources The following Varroa mite resources are now publicly available, including:
Honey bee with Varroa mite parasite. (Credit: https://www.sydney.edu.au/science/news-and-events/2023/10/11/varroa-mite-and-bees.html) Feature: NPBDN residential develops knowledge on eradication of invertebrate plant pest Asha Thomas (Ministry for Primary Industries, MPI, New Zealand) visited the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) this year to build her diagnostic capabilities in several invertebrates listed as National Priority Plant Pests (NPPPs) in Australia, including Khapra beetle (NPPP #2), exotic and economic fruit flies (NPPP #4), and snails (NPPP #12). National Biosecurity Week - building resilience for a stronger tomorrow The inaugural National Biosecurity Week (NBW) takes place from 26–30 August. This annual event highlights the collaborative efforts of government, industry, and the community in protecting our environment, food security, and Australian way of life. By raising awareness and advocating for the adoption of good biosecurity practices, NBW strives to strengthen our biosecurity system for the benefit of all Australians. “Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility, as we must continue to work together to safeguard Australia from pest, disease and other biosecurity threats,” said Sarah Corcoran, CEO of Plant Health Australia (PHA). “National Biosecurity Week will provide a valuable educational platform with the aim of fostering a culture of shared responsibility and proactive biosecurity management.” Led by PHA in partnership with Animal Health Australia (AHA), NBW is an initiative of the Decade of Biosecurity (DoB) with the support of the DoB partners. Upcoming biosecurity events
Career opportunitiesVisit the careers page on the NPBDN website for updates on current vacancies and postgraduate scholarship advertisements.Job opportunities:
Postgraduate opportunities:
Career profileThis month we are profiling Wendy Lee, who is the Assistant Director, International Capacity Development, at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) Plant Protection and Environmental Biosecurity Division. About the NetworkThe National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostic Professional Development and Protocols Projects are coordinated and delivered by PHA and funded by DAFF. The objectives of the Projects are to enhance and strengthen Australia’s diagnostic and surveillance capacity and capability to identify priority plant pests that impact on plant industries, environment and the community. |