In April 2026, partners involved in the Avocado industry biosecurity strategy 2022-2026 (AV21002) came together for their annual project planning day to reflect on the work to date and plan for the final year of delivery.

The project is being delivered in partnership with Avocados Australia, Plant Health Australia (PHA), the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (QDPI) and the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (WA DPIRD).

PHA was represented at the meeting by Bec Powderly, Coordinator, Biosecurity Planning and Nick Lowther, Manager, Learning and Development.

The collaborative biosecurity preparedness project aims to improve the industry’s resilience to exotic pest threats by improving understanding of biosecurity risks and supporting the adoption of on-farm biosecurity practices. Over the life of the project, a range of resources on high priority pests of avocados were developed and are available through the Avocados Australia Best Practice Resource.

The annual project team meeting gave partners an opportunity to review activities delivered over the past year and plan priorities for the final phase of the strategy. Planning discussions included PHA’s delivery of grower-focused Lunch and Learn sessions and the development of an updated Biosecurity Plan for the Australian Avocados industry to be delivered in the second half of 2026.

PHA has also recently worked with QDPI to refresh a series of factsheets on priority pests and diseases of avocados. These updated resources have been published on the PHA website and the Avocados Australia Best Practice Resource, supporting growers with current information to strengthen on‑farm biosecurity.

The Avocado industry biosecurity strategy 2022-2026 (AV21002) has been funded by Hort Innovation using the Avocado Industry research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not for profit research and development corporation for Australian Horticulture.