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EDITION 1 | JANUARY 2023
Message from the CEO
Welcome to the January edition of Tendrils.
At Plant Health Australia (PHA), we’ve started the year with a calendar full of exciting projects, collaborations and events.
Board meeting #109
The PHA Board met on Thursday 1 December at the PHA office in Canberra for Board Meeting #109.
Board meeting #110
Board meeting # 110 will be held on 27 February, 2023 in Brisbane, QLD.
AUSVEG Farm Biosecurity Project delivers positive impact
The AUSVEG Farm Biosecurity Project, a collaboration between Plant Health Australia (PHA) and AUSVEG, continues to strengthen the vegetable and potato industry’s preparedness, response, and management of national biosecurity risks.
As part of the MOU between PHA and AUSVEG to promote on-farm biosecurity and better outcomes for growers, this is the third iteration of the project and has been delivering on-going value.
PSNAP National Forest Pest Surveillance Webinar
The first Plant Surveillance Network Australasia-Pacific (PSNAP) Webinar on National Forest Pest Surveillance will be held on Thursday 2 February 2023 from 12:00-2:00 PM (AEDT).
Forestry consultation on the Timber/Tree workshops
A project to develop a National Action Plan (NAP) for Pests of Trees and Timber that will describe priority areas for a national approach to prevent, detect, respond and cross-cutting issues related to exotic pests threatening Australian timber and trees, has commenced.
Scoping HTS database for a connected diagnostics system
A project to lay the critical foundation for the design and scope of a national high throughput sequencing (HTS) database, which involves significant ongoing consultation with potential users is underway. The first workshop was held last year with two additional workshops scheduled for early February and April 2023.
Detector dog finds live BMSB
Biosecurity Detector dog Petal has sniffed out a live Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) in a passenger’s duffle bag at Brisbane International Airport.
Indigenous rangers roundtable informs future of northern Australia’s biosecurity
Biosecurity and safeguarding were front of mind at the Indigenous Rangers Biosecurity roundtable in the Northern Territory.
Guava root knot nematode detected in North Queensland
Biosecurity Queensland is working with a North Queensland landholder after guava root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne enterolobii) was detected on their property.
Easing the way for exports
After two exceptional years of harvest the department is working hard to support the Australian grain export industry to meet increased export potential.
AgriFutures Honey Bee and Pollination Program
The AgriFutures Honey Bee and Pollination Program Open Call closes Wednesday, 1 February 2023 at 12 noon (AEDT).
NSW Biosecurity Food & Safety Strategy
The Strategy will guide us in responding to an increasingly challenging environment where the risks to our biosecurity and food safety demand we improve and evolve how we prepare and prevent, respond, contain, and minimise impacts.
Tasmanian beekeeper registration now compulsory
Tasmanian beekeepers are invited to register their beekeeping activities before 31 March 2023. There is no cost to register and registration will remain free for the first two years.
Phylloxera and flooding
Likelihood of phylloxera being introduced into South Australian vineyards as a result of current flooding along the River Murray system has been assessed as negligible.
Pineapple supply to outstrip demand in 2023
While most of us see the rains as a blessing, there are commodities in agriculture that go against the wind and need longer, dryer spells. What can be one grower’s good fortune can be their neighbour’s hell.
Latest from Prevent Fruit Fly
NFFC seeking expressions of interest for a new Chairperson
If you have strong governance experience, an understanding of national horticulture issues and a passion for plant biosecurity, agriculture and the environment, you may find this a richly rewarding opportunity.
Latest from Grains Farm Biosecurity
Biosecurity matters after prolonged flooding events
Australia’s experiencing one of the wettest seasons with the third consecutive year of La Niña causing widespread rain and flooding.
Prolonged rain and flooding not only damages crops but increases the risk of weeds, plant pests and diseases establishing in new areas.
Latest from Farm Biosecurity
Biosecurity essentials: monitor everything that enters your property
Almost anything moved onto your property can be a potential source of pests and diseases. To reduce biosecurity risks, it is important to monitor farm inputs, people, vehicles and equipment, feral animals and weeds, and farm outputs.
Out and about
Dr Mila Bristow and Trevor Dunmall visited community garden sites in Darwin in January with CitrusWatch’s Ben Burchett and Tisha Tejaya from NT Farmers.
NABS technical working group, including PHA’s Dr Mila Bristow and Trevor Dunmall, met in Darwin last week.
Staff movements
Welcome to Richard Hughes
We welcome Richard Hughes to PHA in the role of Manager, Learning and Development. Richard has twenty years of experience in a wide variety of Learning and Development roles, including instructing and assessing, learning management, training analysis, design, development and evaluation, and learning systems governance.
Farewell to Dr Mila Bristow
After two years at PHA, Dr Mila Bristow, General Manager, Partnerships and Innovation, will join Hort Innovation in the newly created role of General Manager, Trade and Biosecurity Research and Development.
