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EDITION 21 | SEPTEMBER 2023
Message from the CEO
Hi, I’m Sarah Corcoran, CEO of Plant Health Australia (PHA).
Welcome to the 200th edition of Tendrils – celebrating 10 years of monthly plant biosecurity news conveniently delivered to your inbox.
Board Meeting #112
Board meeting #112 is being held in Darwin this week. Board Members will be familiarised with the operating environment in northern Australia.
eLearning course for the forest industry
PHA has recently introduced a new online Biosecurity Surveillance: Protecting Australia’s Forests course, developed with funding provided by Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) and the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
The importance of PaDIL for diagnostics
PHA Project Officer, Evie Kielnhofer, recently met with Pia Scanlon (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, WA (DPIRD)) and Dr Ken Walker (Museums Victoria) – both of whom are respected, longstanding contributors and supporters of the Pest and Disease Image Library (PaDIL).
Citrus industry familiarisation tour
Citrus Australia hosted their annual citrus industry market familiarisation tour from 29 - 30 August in Mildura, Victoria. PHA’s Dr Lucy Tran-Nguyen, General Manager, Partnerships and Innovation, Naomi Wynn, A/Manager Learning and Development, and other key agricultural partners attended to learn more about the citrus industry and gain market insight.
Register to attend Virtual ADSW 2023 | 6 October, 11.00am
The Plant Surveillance Network Australasia-Pacific (PSNAP) and National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostic Network (NPBDN) have announced a Virtual Annual Diagnostics and Surveillance Workshop (ADSW), a three-hour event to be held Friday, 6 October 2023 at 11.00am (AEDT).
High-throughput sequencing (HTS) scoping completed
PHA is pleased to announce that phase 1 of the high-throughput sequencing (HTS) database project is now complete. Phase 1 aimed to develop an agreed foundation for the design and scope of a central, secure and private online location to hold trusted genome sequences for National Priority Plant Pests, industry high priority pests and trade sensitive established pests to support emergency responses, area freedom and relevant research.
Improving biosecurity preparedness for the avocado industry
Avocados Australia is leading a multi-faceted biosecurity project which aims to improve the biosecurity preparedness of the Australian avocado industry by implementing effective preparedness and prevention strategies and building response capability.
Boosting the Fall armyworm knowledge bank
Australia’s fall armyworm knowledge bank has been boosted by the release of four project reports originating from the latest research and development. Project summaries and the full technical reports are now available to industry, governments and the R&D community through PHA’s website.
National consultation complete
Consultation has continued to inform development of the National Action Plan for Pests of Timber and Trees and its implementation schedule, with two workshops held in Canberra on 25 July and 30 August 2023.
Annual Diagnostics Workshop and Annual Surveillance Workshop 2024
Planning has commenced for the Annual Diagnostics Workshop (ADW) and the Annual Surveillance Workshop (ASW) 2024, which will be held as two separate events during the week of 18 March 2024 in Brisbane.
$30 million to reduce risk for grain growers
A new five-year $30 million national investment has been launched by the Grains Research and Development Corporation. The RiskWi$e program aims to help Australian grain growers better manage risks such as drought and market volatility.
Stay up to date with plant pests in South Australia
The latest edition of the South Australian Research and Development Institute’s (SARDI) PestFacts is now available. Find out more on how to identify and manage pests such as pea weevils, aphids, moths and spring red legged earth mites.
Agricultural sector remains strong despite drier conditions to come
Australian agriculture, fisheries and forestry are set to have the third-highest yearly gross value on record in 2023-24, with production value predicted to reach $86 billion.
Hosting a ‘biosecure’ machinery auction
Organisers of machinery auctions have a responsibility to help their buyers adhere to biosecurity requirements when receiving their purchases. Vinehealth Australia has a guide on maintaining biosecurity for machinery auctions.
Grower nominations now open for Fruit Growers Tasmania Board
Nominations are now open for growers looking to represent their industry sectors on the Board of Fruit Growers Tasmania. Nominations close on 20 September.
Reminder: Biosecurity Bill consultation still open
Public consultation on a draft Biosecurity Bill that will enable a modern approach to biosecurity management in South Australia is now open and closes on 26 September.
AUSVEG's new Vegalogue podcast
Vegalogue is a new podcast from AUSVEG. Issues affecting the Australian vegetable, potato and onion sectors will be discussed each month, as well as unpacking levy-funded research and meeting key people from vegetable industry.
Australian Berry Journal's Spring 2023 edition is out now
The latest edition of Berries Australia’s Australian Berry Journal is now available online.
3D x-ray trial to add another dimension to airport biosecurity
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has installed two new cutting-edge 3D x-ray units at Brisbane and Melbourne international airports to trial screening incoming baggage for biosecurity risks.
NSW Australian Crop Report: September edition
Winter crop production in New South Wales is forecast to reach 10.1 million tonnes in 2023–24. This is down 33% from 2022–23.
New research to deliver outcomes for Australian sugarcane growers and millers
Sugar Research Australia (SRA) has announced three new research projects to drive productivity, profitability, and sustainability for Australian sugarcane growers and millers.
PGA’s Trevor Ranford retires and Dr Brenda Kranz appointed
The Pistachio Growers Association’s (PGA) Executive Officer Trevor Ranford has announced his retirement, and Dr Brenda Kranz has been appointed in the position.
Tougher penalties tighten the biosecurity net
People who flout Australia’s biosecurity laws will face even tougher penalties with new powers granted to biosecurity officers under the Biosecurity Amendment Bill 2023.
$1.6 million for Nuffield scholarships with a focus on drought resilience
The Future Drought Fund (FDF) is investing $1.6 million through Nuffield Australia over the next two years for scholarships and training.
A sweet deal for Australian sugar producers
Australia’s tariff-free raw sugar exports to the United Kingdom (UK) have resumed for the first time in 50 years.
Latest from Prevent Fruit Fly
Port Augusta’s fruit fly facility to boost fight against fruit fly
The fight against fruit fly is set to be boosted with the opening of the $3 million expansion of the world leading National Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) facility at Port Augusta. The upgrade will grow the current centre and double the number of sterile flies produced weekly to combat fruit fly.
Latest from Grains Farm Biosecurity
Recognise danger signs to protect crops and industry
Learning how to recognise the signs of damaging pests and diseases is probably the most important tool in on-farm biosecurity practices and is crucial to protecting your crops and Australia’s grains industry.
Spotlight: Visitor biosecurity risk assessment tool
The visitor biosecurity risk assessment tool provides examples of the types of questions you might use in undertaking a biosecurity risk assessment with someone visiting or conducting business on your farm. It also provides examples of the types of actions that could be taken to reduce the risk.
Latest from Farm Biosecurity
Farm Biosecurity records for livestock and crop producers
A key aspect of farm biosecurity and business management is training staff and tracing animal and plant origins and destinations, along with recording purchases, sales, and movements. Use our templates to evaluate and reduce biosecurity risks on your farm. Some documents have multiple versions for varied purposes.
What does farm biosecurity mean to you?
Biosecurity in agriculture includes protecting our food crops and livestock from pests, weeds and diseases that can harm them, reduce their productivity and affect our access to markets. Biosecurity is also important for safeguarding our environment, our health and our way of life from the impacts of invasive species and infectious diseases.
Staff movements
Welcome Natalie Banks and Niki Shepherd
This month we welcomed Natalie Banks as the new part-time Project Officer for National Fruit Fly Council (NFFC), and Niki Shepherd as the new Training Officer, based in Canberra.
Natalie holds a PhD from Murdoch University and a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University. In her most recent role as a Technical Officer in the Australian National Insect Collection (ANIC) team at CSIRO, Natalie developed excellent partnerships and relationships at all levels.
Niki will be working on enhancing biosecurity capability and capacity through the development, delivery, and evaluation of PHA training and education.
Prior to joining PHA, Niki completed a Bachelor of Science in Resource and Environmental Management at ANU, taught Environmental Science and Horticulture at TAFE NSW in the Blue Mountains and Southern Tablelands and more recently she worked on a unique project for the ACT Office for Women, developing and delivering a face to face Safe and Respectful Workplaces (Gender Equity) Workshop to the Construction Industry to enhance workplace inclusivity practices.
Please join us in welcoming Natalie and Niki.
Out and about
PHA’s Dr Lucy Tran-Nguyen and Naomi Wynn attended the Citrus Australia Familiarisation Tour in Mildura in August.
PHA’s Carolyn Blomley, Manager EPPRD, presented at the Sunraysia Biosecurity workshop in Victoria this month.
Grains Biosecurity Officer Kate Glastonbury attended Agquip in Gunnedah, 22-24 August.
PHA’s National Manager, Marketing and Communications, Amanda Yong attended the National Biosecurity Communications and Engagement Network’s (NBCEN) visit to Cattana Wetlands Environmental Park to view the Electric ants project.
Plant Health Australia’s (PHA) Project Officer, Evie Kielnhofer with Ken Walker who provided a behind the scenes tour of Museums Victoria’s wet and dry invertebrate specimen collections.
PHA’s Sarah Corcoran, Somania Dahal, Cheryl Grgurinovic, Lucy Tran-Nguyen, Emily Sears, Angela Ditton, Bec Powderly and Mandy Jarvis attended the Rural Women’s Awards in Canberra last week. With them is Amanda Olthof, Senior Manager, Levied Industries at Agrifutures Australia.
