Message from the CEO

We kicked-off the last month of the financial year with a full itinerary of meetings and events that provided many opportunities for face-to-face discussions and networking. In the first week of June, Board Meeting 111 (BM111) was held in Sydney and included discussion on strategic issues, a review of financial reports, risk management plans and policies as well as management and compliance activities of the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD).

 22nd General Meeting

Plant Health Australia’s (PHA) General Meeting was held in Sydney on 31 May, 2023. Download a copy of the Chairperson’s address and General Meeting presentation.

Board Meeting #111

Board meeting #111 was held 30 May 2023 in Sydney. 

PHA's 2023-24 Annual Operational Plan is out now

The Annual Operational Plan (AOP) outlines Plant Health Australia’s operational priorities, outcomes and actions for the following year and is developed in consultation with Members each year.

Follow us on Instagram

Instagram is a rapidly evolving and growing platform with more than two billion active users. By producing engaging and informative content on this platform, PHA aims to build plant biosecurity awareness amongst a new, younger and diverse audience.

ANU interns complete work experience at PHA

PHA recently had the pleasure of hosting three students from the Australian National University (ANU) for a semester-long Science Internship Program. The program offered hands-on work experience based on each student's educational background and professional objectives.

Nationally Integrated Surveillance System for Plant Pests 

In conjunction with the recent Annual Diagnostics and Surveillance Workshop (ADSW 2023), PHA hosted the first project workshop investigating requirements for development of a nationally integrated surveillance system for plant pests.

Engaging the future workforce

PHA’s Biosecurity Officer, Rebecca Powderly, presented an overview of biosecurity and the role PHA plays to several undergraduate students studying biology at the Australia National University (ANU) in May. This is the first in a series of student presentations aiming to increase engagement and awareness of the role of biosecurity in Australia.  

PHA gets buzz-y for World Bee Day

On 20 May 2023 PHA celebrated World Bee Day to spread awareness of the significance of bees and other pollinators for food security.

Australia’s honey bees are some of the healthiest in the world. The health of the beekeeping industry is key and has flow-on effects to pollination reliant industries and the wider community that benefit from healthy hives, their products, and the services they provide.

Understanding Australia's plant biosecurity system 

Keeping Australia’s plant industries free of exotic pests and diseases is a continuous process and a collective effort. This educational video outlines the arrangements and partners across the biosecurity continuum including how stakeholders interact and the role of PHA in the national plant biosecurity system. 

Draft program and key participants announced for the National Fruit Fly Symposium

The draft program has been released for the upcoming 2023 National Fruit Fly Symposium to be held in Adelaide, 20-21 July 2023, the first face-to-face NFFC-hosted symposium since 2018.

The National Fruit Fly Council is also delighted to announce the key participants presenting at the Symposium.

Port Augusta's fruit fly facility to double in size

The $3 million expansion of the National Sterile Insect Technology (SIT) facility at Port Augusta is now underway, helping to drive down fruit fly numbers in South Australia.

The existing site, which opened in November 2016, has reached its capacity, producing up to 20 million sterile flies a week with most being released in the Riverland as part of the response to the current outbreaks in the region. 

Protect your grain farm with an effective biosecurity plan

Australia’s grains industry produced a record 67.3 million tonnes of winter crops in the 2022/2023 season, with wheat production topping the list at 39.2 million tonnes (ABARES, 2023).

While a bumper harvest is good news, the presence of pests and diseases remains a constant threat to the industry. By being aware and adopting simple and effective on-farm biosecurity measures you can help prevent the spread of pests and diseases, protecting your farm and your livelihood.

New ‘secure our farms hunt bioaware’ partnership

Hunters play an important role in helping farmers manage pest animals, but they also need to be aware they can be potential carriers for pests, weeds, and diseases.

The Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia (SSAA National) and Grain Producers Australia (GPA) have partnered to raise awareness of the importance of hunters in the farming system and the importance of understanding biosecurity protocols when entering properties.

Register now for the 2023 On-Farm Biosecurity Summit

The 2023 On-Farm Biosecurity Summit will be held on Tuesday 11 July 2023 at the Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane and will feature keynote speakers, interactive panel discussions, and engaging workshops. The Summit will provide an opportunity to collaborate with other peak industry bodies and collectively explore best practices in on-farm biosecurity measures.