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The National Bee Pest Surveillance Program (NBPSP) is a risk-based program undertaking surveillance at ports that have been evaluated as the highest risk of entry and establishment of European or Asian honey bees and the exotic bee mites they carry. More

The first quarter of 2023 has certainly been eventful for PHA. In the past month alone we’ve completed two new online training courses, delivered Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD) training to Members, delivered eight state/territory-based workshops for the National Action Plan for Pests of Timber and Trees, and published reports for three national research and development (R&D) projects. More

Plant Health Australia (PHA) in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) have published the final reports for three national research and development (R&D) projects to minimise the damaging consequences of Fall armyworm (FAW; Spodoptera frugiperda) to Australian plant industries. More

The United Nations has declared 12 May as the International Day of Plant Health (IDPH 2023). It is all about raising global awareness of how protecting plant health can help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect biodiversity and the environment, and boost economic development. More

A three-day Nanopore Sequencing for Biosecurity workshop will be held from 27 – 29 June 2023 at Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia. This biosecurity focused workshop aims to contribute to capacity building and establish a Nanopore community of practice focusing on biosecurity and eDNA. More

A new national surveillance protocol for Texas root rot has been endorsed and published on the National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostics Network (NPBDN) website. National Diagnostic Protocols (NDPs) are diagnostic protocols for the unambiguous taxonomic identification of plant pests. More

The detection of Varroa mite in NSW highlights the importance of Industry and Government partnerships, joining forces for the detection of high priority pests. Varroa mite detected during sentinel hive inspections as part of the National Bee Pest Surveillance Program (NBPSP), demonstrates the value of investing in surveillance programs. More

PHA has delivered eight state/territory-based workshops to help develop a National Action Plan for Pests of Timber and Trees. The workshops were held in Perth, Northern Territory (virtual), Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart and Canberra with 60 participants across 34 stakeholder organisations including government (Commonwealth, state and local), plant industries, researchers and universities. More

On 31 March 2023 Plant Health Australia (PHA) delivered tailored Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD) training to members of the Australian Macadamia Society, Australian Banana Growers’ Council, and AUSVEG.

The aim of the bespoke industry Board training is to enhance industry’s emergency response preparedness and implement change at the organisational level. More

The Australian citrus industry has a sizable production base that requires protection from exotic pests and diseases. With 1,500 businesses directly involved in citrus production, and many associated businesses providing support services to grow, harvest, pack, transport, and market citrus, the wider citrus industry contributes to the economies of many regional areas. More