Plant Health Australia (PHA) continues to work closely with Avocados Australia Limited to boost the avocado industry’s biosecurity preparedness. For 2026, PHA will deliver a suite of updated resources and learning events over the coming months. These resources and events are designed specifically to strengthen biosecurity awareness, coordination and response capability for the avocado industry and have been developed by PHA to support achievement of objectives under the Hort Innovation project Avocado Industry Biosecurity Strategy 2022-2026 (AV21002). This project is funded by Hort Innovation, using the Avocado industry research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government.

Factsheets

A refreshed series of avocado pest factsheets, updated by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (QDPI) and PHA, is now available on the Avocado’s Australia website and in PHA’s resource centre. The ten updated factsheets provide growers with the latest information on the key exotic pests and diseases that could significantly impact avocado production and trade. The factsheets also provide growers and agronomists with an understanding of how they can identify these pests and diseases, how they move within and around farms and what growers can do to protect their businesses and their industry from these exotic pests.

Industry Liaison training

Industry Liaison training provides participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively represent their industry during biosecurity emergency responses under the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD). PHA is running Industry Liaison training for industry signatories in Mildura, Victoria (29 April), Bundaberg, Queensland (18 August) and Darwin, Northern Territory (15 October) this year. If you are interested in attending the training, please contact Avocados Australia: co@avocado.org.au using “PHA industry liaison training” as the email subject.

Biosecurity preparedness webinars

PHA has also been working with Avocados Australia to design and deliver two interactive webinars for the Avocado industry. The three, one hour webinars will provide industry participants across the country the opportunity to learn more about current biosecurity priorities and preparedness activities. The sessions will include information on the economic impacts of Avocado High Priority Pests (HPPs), on-farm biosecurity resources and Owner Reimbursement Costs. Participants will hear from expert researchers and have the opportunity to ask questions and engage with subject matter experts. The webinars will be advertised soon, for more information contact training@phau.com.au.

Together, these initiatives improve understanding and awareness of key exotic pests, helping the avocado industry to prepare for challenges associated with the incursion of exotic pests to Australia. By building knowledge, strengthening networks and providing practical tools, PHA and Avocados Australia continue to support the sector’s role in protecting Australia’s biosecurity system.