EDITION 11 | NOVEMBER 2023

Message from the CEO

Welcome to the November edition of Tendrils, our second last e-newsletter for 2023!

As we approach the end-of-year festivities, it is important to remember that biosecurity threats don’t take a break and we need to continue to be vigilant to safeguard Australia's biosecurity.

Member meetings

PHA’s Member meetings will be held at the East Hotel in Canberra from 27 – 29 November 2023. The Notice of AGM, agenda, registration details, and proxy forms were circulated to Members on 7 November.

Image: Courtesy of Avocados Australia

Avocados Australia tests biosecurity protocols

In a move to continue biosecurity preparedness and response capabilities, Avocados Australia’s Board participated in Exercise Proteger on 25 October. The desktop exercise was facilitated by PHA and designed to test the decision-making processes and application of the Biosecurity Incident Standard Operating Procedure (BISOP) during a biosecurity emergency response.

2022/23 CitrusWatch Activity Report now available

The CitrusWatch team is pleased to release the 2022-2023 Activity Report which showcases the program’s achievements over the past year.

A collaboration between PHA, Citrus Australia, the Northern Territory Department of Industry Tourism and Trade, and Cesar Australia, the program is a national citrus biosecurity and surveillance program that extends across commercial production zones, to high density, urban and peri-urban regions.

A record 450 forestry experts converged for ANZIF 2023

The Australia New Zealand Institute of Forestry (ANZIF) conference was recently held in Tweed Heads, New South Wales with a record 475 delegates in attendance, representing a broad range of AU and NZ stakeholders. The Australian Forest Products Association and PHA sponsored two biosecurity focused sessions.

What entomology has taught me about the importance of biosecurity

In an article for The Australian Entomologist’s Journal, and in celebration of the Entomological Society of Queensland’s 100-year celebration, PHA’s CEO, Sarah Corcoran reflected on her experiences as a leader in Australia’s biosecurity system. She specifically talks about what insects have taught her about how we can better protect our unique agricultural and environmental assets in a rapidly changing world.

Learning from our neighbours how NZ lives with varroa

Bianca Giggins, Varroa Coordinator at the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC) recently toured New Zealand where she learnt how they control and manage varroa mites.

Major investment in agricultural research and education in Tasmania

The Tasmanian agriculture sector is set to benefit from a multi-million-dollar investment in research and education infrastructure in Northern Tasmania.

19th Australasian Vertebrate Pest Conference

The Centre for Invasive Species Solutions is hosting the 19th Australasian Vertebrate Pest Conference from 29 July – 1 August 2024 in partnership with the NSW Department of Primary Industries, NSW Local Land Services and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

GPA seeks more producer protection

Grain Producers Australia's (GPA) submission to the 'consultation' process on the Federal government's Biosecurity Protection Levy opposes grain growers being forced into paying this added 10 per cent tax.

Gene-based molecular markers to improve genetic gains in challenging environments

The project focuses on exome-based new allele-specific PCR markers and transferability for sodicity tolerance in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

More Aussie mangoes off to Japan

Japanese restaurants and retailers are getting ready to say “IRASSHAIMASE!” to more Aussie mangoes, as the Albanese Government continues to deliver great trade outcomes for the agricultural sector.

Let’s BeeConnected

BeeConnected is a world-first Google Maps-based, user-driven communication and coordination tool to help protect Australia’s honey bee population during normal farming practices.

Market access for WA Hass avocados in Thailand

Western Australian avocado exporters have regained market access to Thailand. Australia was the largest exporter of avocados to Thailand prior to the introduction of cold treatment protocols.

Trade tips for exporters

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry publishes trade data and insights to help exporters make informed decisions and provide timely access to market intelligence.

APAL - Biosecurity: what’s your plan?

APAL is rolling out bespoke orchard biosecurity plans for members. The new biosecurity plans will be tailored to each farm and will replace the hard-copy version.

Updates to honey bee restrictions in the ACT

The ACT Government has updated its mandatory restrictions on the movement of honey bees, hives and apiary equipment into the ACT to allow the importation of queen bees and their escorts from NSW if certain conditions are met.

Australian and Indonesian sugarcane industries sign biosecurity agreement

A landmark agreement has been signed between the Australian and Indonesian sugarcane industries in a frontline effort which will increase biosecurity protection for Australian farms.

Singular fruit fly notifications now available

In response to requests at Riverland grower meetings, PIRSA is exploring a new notification system which will enable growers to be directly advised of a singular fly detection associated with their commercial property.

Australia’s world-class forestry industry on display

The Australian Government hosted a successful 30th session of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission (APFC) with more than 150 delegates in attendance.

Traceability group up and running

The Australian Agricultural Traceability Strategic Reference Group (AATSRG) has now been established to help industry enhance traceability systems, helping to boost Australia’s biosecurity and grow trade relationships.

NFFC develops industry specific fruit fly management primers

Managing fruit fly is a complex process and requires long-term activity to increase the general understanding of fruit fly management, the National Fruit Fly Council (NFFC) has developed a set of primers. These are tailored for major fruit fly affected industries including avocados, blueberries, citrus, mango etc, and provide an overview on fruit fly management techniques and cover key pest species, general life cycle information, etc.

Latest from Grains Farm Biosecurity

Pest Reporting and Responses for Growers free online training

Pest Reporting and Responses for Growers is a short free online course available on PHA’s Biosecurity Online Training (BOLT) platform.

As a grain grower, your livelihood depends on healthy and viable production systems. The use of biosecurity practices is a key component of achieving this. The Pest Reporting and Responses course highlights how to report plant pests in Australia and what might happen in response to a plant pest detection.

Enrol today

Latest from Farm Biosecurity

Five questions for harvest contractors before entering your property

The movement of harvest contractors and machinery between farming regions during harvest season can spread unwanted pests, diseases, and weeds. There are five questions you can ask to identify potential issues before your harvest contractor enters your property.

Out and about

Earlier this month, PHA hosted a delegation from Timor-Leste, the Australian National University, and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry at PHA’s office in Canberra. Sarah Corcoran and Dr Lucy Tran-Nguyen welcomed the visitors.

PHA’s Dr Lucy Tran-Nguyen, Jessica Arnold, Dr Matt Hill, Evie Kielnhofer and Dr Rachel Mann recently presented a PaDIL Future Directions workshop to map out the direction of PaDIL for the next five years.

Woolworths launched their Regional Report in Canberra last week and PHA’s CEO Sarah Corcoran, and National Manager, Marketing and Communications, Amanda Yong attended.

Outgoing NFF President Fiona Simson giving her final speech at the National Press Club in Canberra.

In October we celebrated Rachel Mann, Jimmy Lu and Jessica Arnold's birthdays during a special morning tea.

AHBIC CEO Danny LeFeuvre and PHA CEO Sarah Corcoran at the launch of the BeeConnected app in Canberra.