EDITION 15 | APRIL 2022
Message from the CEO
The first quarter of 2022 has been busy with building our 2022-23 Annual Operational Plan (AOP) that presents key activities and targets for the next financial year. This is the first AOP under the new Strategic Plan 2022-27 and the draft which outlines the actions required to support our vision of being a valued leader of a strong, integrated Australian plant biosecurity system was presented to our Members at the end of last month.
Member meetings
Members are asked to take note of upcoming member meetings.
When: 24 – 25 May 2022
Where: Rydges Sydney Central and online
The agenda is available on our website.
Annual Operational Plan
Plant Health Australia’s (PHA) first Annual Operational Plan (AOP) developed under the new Strategic Plan 2022-27 was presented during a webinar to members on 31 March.
During the webinar, Sarah Corcoran, CEO, outlined PHA’s operational priorities, outcomes and actions for 2022-23. The plan is reviewed with members annually for feedback and input, prior to approval by the PHA Board.
Joint Annual Diagnosticians’ and Surveillance workshop 2022
The 11th Annual Diagnosticians’ Workshop (ADW) and the 5th Annual Surveillance Workshop (ASW) will be held from 30 August - 1 September 2022 in Melbourne.
For the first time, the ADW and ASW will present a combined workshop program themed around integration to inspire and innovate.
Joint Industry-Government Surveillance workshop series
Earlier this month, PHA hosted its second Joint Industry Government Surveillance workshop on the value of data..
The series is a result of the development of the Northern Australia Biosecurity Strategy and the Tropical Plant Industries Biosecurity Surveillance Strategy, both of which recognised that no single entity or agency can meet all the biosecurity needs across northern Australia, and that collaboration and partnerships are crucial.
New version of the EPPRD
A new version of the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD) was issued on 3 March 2022. Amendments included changes to contact details, levy information, an updated Biosecurity statement and the addition of new Crops represented by AUSVEG following approval by the EPPRD Parties.
App to detect brown marmorated stink bug
A mobile phone app designed to detect brown marmorated stink bug is being trialled by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.
The app was developed by CSIRO, funded through the $5.5 million per annum Biosecurity Innovation Program.
New partnership to establish a Biosecurity Training Centre
The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has signed an agreement with Charles Sturt University (CSU) to deliver a new Biosecurity Training Centre to strengthen Australia’s biosecurity capability.
The Biosecurity Training Centre will deliver specialised training for biosecurity staff.
Biosecurity backs up market access
Two reports released by ABARES highlight the strong export performance of two key agricultural commodities to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries following biosecurity market access.
Competitive edge for future ag exports
Australia will need to find new ways to gain a competitive advantage with its agricultural exports as more countries enter free trade agreements.
Stop exotic pest hitchhikers
Exotic pest hitchhikers, such as khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium, can devastate South Australia’s $4.3 billion grains industry through production and export market losses if they enter Australia and become established.
Sugar Shake Season is here
Sugar Shake Season is dedicated to creating awareness across New South Wales about the devastating effects of pest mites that affect honey bees. During autumn, beekeepers are encouraged to use the sugar shake technique to check their hives and report their results.
New drought assistance in QLD
New drought assistance will help Queensland primary producers better manage future droughts through proactive measures, including tailored training, grants and loans. The new drought preparedness measures are open to all primary producers without needing a drought declaration.
QLD AgTrend 2021-2022 results
Queensland’s 2021-2022 AgTrend results reveal that agriculture commodoties are reaching record highs this year, with good seasonal conditions, and record prices supporting food security for Queenslanders and beyond..
Mango Pests and Diseases update
Australian Mangoes hosted a Pests and Diseases Update on 4 April in rural Darwin, Northern Territory. Growers were updated on current threats for mangoes, ahead of the flowering season and provided with useful resources and materials.
2023 Nuffield Scholarship applications now open
Applications are now open for the 2023 Nuffield Scholarships. Each scholarship is valued at $30,000 and Nuffield Australia will award up to 20 scholarships this year.
Safety fur everyone
The Queensland Government’s Electric Ant Eradication Program has four odour detection dogs who play an important role in detecting electric ants. The dogs are equipped with specially designed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to keep them safe.
Latest from Prevent Fruit Fly
Webinar: fruit fly interspecies competition
The National Fruit Fly Council hosted an online webinar on interspecies competition in fruit flies on 4 April with 107 participants in attendance.
Prof Anthony Clarke, Queensland University of Technology, talked about the history of Mediterranean fruit fly and Queensland fruit fly interactions, and Dr Francis De Lima, Consultant Entomologist at Aghort Solutions Pty. Ltd, presented the distribution, demography, dispersal and management of Medfly in Australia.
Shoo fly protects NSW from Medfly
Working with interstate and national horticultural industry representatives, NSW government agencies took a step forward to fortify the state against one of the world’s most destructive fruit pests, Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly).
Exercise Shoo Fly was held in Dareton, to bolster the ability of lead agencies, NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and Local Land Services (LLS), to mount an emergency response to eradicate a future Medfly incursion.
Latest from Farm Biosecurity
How to report pests and diseases as a grower
Plant pests and diseases can have a serious impact on your business, industry and community. By reporting anything unusual, you help protect your bottom line but also help reduce the likelihood that new pests are here to stay.
Meet NSW grains biosecurity officer, Kate Glastonbury
The Grains Farm Biosecurity Program welcomes Kate Glastonbury to the team following her appointment as the grains biosecurity officer for New South Wales, based in Orange.
Grains biosecurity showcased at South East Feld Day
South Australia’s grains biosecurity officer, Shafiya Hussein, received 104 visitors at her booth in the South Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regions’ tent, at the South East field days held from 18 – 19 March in Lucindale, South Australia. The event attracted 22,000 visitors and showcased 679 exhibitions.
Out and about
PHA's Executive Management Team’s (EMT) recently attended a two-day off-site workshop to map out our activities under the new Strategic Plan 2022-27.
PHA and the Australian Native Bee Association recently held a free online workshop for 174 attendees from all over Australia.
PHA's Sarah Corcoran, CEO, and Dr Mila Bristow, General Manager, Partnerships & Innovation, participated in a market access roundtable to support NSW Department of Primary Industries' decision-making about where to best invest funds for plant industries.
The National Farmer Federation’s conference was held in Canberra from 5 - 6 April. 500 Political and industry leaders attended to discuss sustainability and industry growth.
At the end of March, the Plant Health Committee bid farewell to long-time member, Rod Turner, who officially retires from PHA in July.
PHA’s Jess Lehman attended her first Australian Cotton Leaders’ Program meeting on 25 March. They learnt more about the program and how to be a successful leader, and shared cotton project ideas.
Staff movements
Welcome to Juhal Siby
PHA welcomes Juhal Siby in the role of Graduate Project Officer, Digital Systems. In his new role, he will provide project support to a number of key digital systems – AUSPestCheck™, the Pest and Disease Image Library (PaDIL) and the Australian Plant Pest Database (APPD).
Juhal has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and a master’s degree in Data Science from RMIT University.
Welcome to Dr Blessy Pathrose
Dr Blessy Pathrose also joined PHA this month as a Project Officer, Diagnostics and Surveillance. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in both medical and plant molecular diagnostics.
She completed her PhD research on Characterising sub-species variation in New Zealand Cylindrocarpon/Ilyonectria species that causes black foot of grapevines from Lincoln University, New Zealand.
