The Plant Health and Environment Laboratory, Ministry for Primary Industries Biosecurity New Zealand, recently hosted a three-day online workshop in March.

Focusing on the know-how and advances in High Throughput Sequencing (HTS) technologies for biosecurity, the workshop enhanced collaboration in the form of new projects, in-person meetings and technical hands-on training.

The international lineup included speakers from Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Spain, Belgium, Italy, and South Africa, who presented a total of 40 sessions to 126 registered participants.

A highlight was PHA’s Dr Cheryl Grgurinovic’s, Manager: Diagnostics, presentation on the National Coordination of High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS) Data for a Connected Diagnostics System. The presentation focused on a 12-month project conducted by Plant Health Australia in 2022–2023 on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and funded under the department’s Biosecurity Innovation Program which supports collaboration between industry and government. The project scoped a proposed HTS database to provide a secure, centralised platform for storage, sharing and analysis of plant pest genomic data detected in agricultural and environmental settings. With extensive stakeholder consultation, the architecture of the HTS database has been scoped, and draft data standards and draft governance arrangements have also been developed.

The presentation also discussed the Biosecurity Trakka project, which will provide a centralised platform to analyse high quality genomic data sourced from multiple trusted sources, including the HTS database and other trusted databases such as the Australian Plant Pest database (APPD), AUSPestCheck® and the Pest and Disease Image Library (PaDIL).

Funding for this project is currently under consideration by Hort Innovation as part of the Hort Frontiers Strategic Partnership Initiative.

A new version of the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD) was issued on Wednesday 3 April 2024 to include updated contact details for signatories listed in Schedule 2.

Please notify epprd@phau.com.au of any changes to the contact for notices for your Party to ensure you receive all EPPRD correspondence.

Do you or your staff work in the nursery industry?
Do you or your staff work with goods that have recently been imported into Australia?

If you answered yes, did you know that you are at the front line in helping to protect Australia’s lifestyle, environment and livelihoods?

Plant Health Australia’s Biosecurity Online Training (BOLT) platform hosts free online training to educate businesses and their staff on what suspicious plant pests and diseases to look out for and how to report anything unusual.

Hitchhiker Pests and Greenlife Retailer Pests and Diseases are two interactive e-learning courses available on BOLT, aimed at raising awareness of the impact pests and diseases can have on our livelihoods, lifestyles, and environment, how they can enter Australia, how to recognise their characteristics, and, most importantly, what to do if they see a suspected plant pest or disease.

Incorporating these free courses into your staff training and induction programs can help you safeguard your business and the wider community by ensuring that pests and diseases are detected early, and appropriate action is taken to prevent their spread.

A key factor in eradicating pests and diseases is early detection and reporting. Training your staff to identify threats before they reach your customers can:

• help minimise reputational risks
• reduce impact on your customers
• reduce downtime for business operations allowing for business continuity
• protect our valuable plant industries and natural environment.

 
These e-learning can be accessed through Biosecurity Online Training (BOLT) platform.

About the courses

Each course takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and is designed for users with a range of language and literacy skills. To access the courses, each learner is required to create a profile, which is a quick and simple process. Once a learner has a profile, they can enrol in any of the e-learning available on BOLT. The courses have been developed with the following learners in mind:

Hitchhiker Pests: For businesses and their staff that deal with goods and cargo at critical points along the supply chain, including warehouses, distribution centres, and large chain stores.

Greenlife Retailer Pests and Diseases: For farmers, home gardeners, revegetation groups, local councils, local fruit, nut and veggie producers, large and small retail nurseries, landscapers, and horticulturalists.

Interested in partnering with us? For more information on integrating these courses into your corporate training packages, contact: Plant Health Australia at training@phau.com.au

To report a suspected plant pest or disease call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881.

Get ready to play an active role in enhancing your industry’s biosecurity preparedness, by attending Plant Health Australia’s free face-to-face Industry Liaison Officer (ILO) training.

ILOs are crucial during emergency plant pest responses. They serve as a critical link between the government Incident Management Team and industry by providing advice on the industry sector and potential impacts of response strategies and actions. PHA’s ILO training is a great opportunity to:

• gain practical skills and knowledge to prepare for biosecurity emergencies
• find out more about the ILO’s role and understand the incident management structure during a response
• build relationships and networks with industry and government stakeholders before a biosecurity response arises.

 
If you’re interested in the role of an ILO and would like to attend the training, contact your national peak industry body for more information.

You can register your interest for the following upcoming ILO workshops:

• Victoria, 1 August 2024: register via the online form
• Northern Territory*, 22 August 2024: register via the online form
• Queensland, second half of 2024: register to receive a notification when it’s scheduled via the online form

 
*Note If you were keen to attend the Northern Territory workshop previously scheduled for 15 May, please note that it has been postponed and will now be held on 22 August 2024.

Liz Riley, Consultant and Trainer for the New South Wales (NSW) wine industry, attended the ILO Workshop held in Orange, NSW recently and had this to say about the training:

“I was motivated to do the ILO training to support my industry in the event there is an incursion. I’d hate to see things grind to a halt and not be actively involved. So it was really important to me to be able to participate.”

Watch our video to hear previous workshop participants share their thoughts on what they gained from attending the workshop and how the training has prepared them for the ILO role.

For more information on ILO workshops or for help with registration, contact the PHA training team via email at training@phau.com.au

Plant Health Australia (PHA) will be delivering a framework to address future plant pest surveillance and resourcing needs in a project that investigates requirements for the development of a Nationally Integrated Surveillance System for Plant Pests (NISSPP).

Plant industry and government representatives from across the country converged at the Park Royal Hotel in Melbourne from 13 – 14 March to finalise activities to investigate requirements for a NISSP.

The workshop was the culmination of two phases of one-on-one consultations in 2023 and 2024 and presented findings from the previous consultation processes.

Attendees discussed the current surveillance system and programs and identified requirements to improve the way plant pest surveillance is delivered and resourced into the future. This is being used to develop an implementation plan based on a shared understanding between plant industries and governments.

The final workshop sought a vision for an effective, efficient, and ongoing surveillance system for plant pests. The following vision statement was developed:

“A comprehensive, resilient, and evidence based national surveillance system to support prioritised detection of new plant pests and market access through collaborative efforts among stakeholders and partners that ensures accountability, resource adequacy, and continuous research/technology testing to anticipate and mitigate biosecurity threats.”

Workshop attendees strongly agreed surveillance activities need to be improved in areas at high risk of pest entry and establishment, roles and responsibilities need to be defined, and we need to gain value for biosecurity outcomes from citizen science and grower-led crop monitoring.

In addition to the surveillance activities themselves, Australia has developed world-class tools and systems to share and analyse data from surveillance on a national level. These work behind the scenes to assist peak industry bodies and governments in meeting needs for market access and the collation of new pest detection information. Although our biosecurity system is built on this infrastructure, we need to ensure a clear path for resourcing these tools into the future.

The implementation plan has developed action areas and targets to support the vision and these needs which is currently being reviewed by the NISSPP Steering Committee.

The NISSPP project is led by PHA and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). The project recognises that while surveillance is critical to detect pests, providing data for improved decision-making in responses, and building and maintaining market access, it is costly.

Plant Health Australia (PHA) is excited to announce that Dr Chadden Hunter, wildlife biologist and filmmaker, along with Dr Claire Madden, Head Veterinarian at Sea World, will join the line-up of keynote speakers at the 3rd Australian Biosecurity Symposium this August.

Dr Hunter is known for his role in the development of the Planet Earth series, and his work alongside Sir David Attenborough for over 20 years. He has extensive experience using compelling stories and imagery to deliver key messages to large and diverse audiences, and we look forward to his valuable insights on driving behaviour change.

Dr Madden is the Head Veterinarian at Sea World, including the Sea World Foundation and Paradise Country. Prior to this, Dr Madden has held various veterinary roles at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Australia Zoo, and Zoos Victoria. She is extremely passionate about inspiring the next generation and we look forward to hearing her insights on the importance of public engagement in conservation, marine issues and biosecurity.

The 3^rd Australian Biosecurity Symposium is a flagship event hosted by the Biosecurity Collective – a shared initiative of PHA, Animal Health Australia, the Invasive Species Council, and the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions intended to influence the direction of Australia’s biosecurity system towards 2030.

Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with key industry decision-makers, innovators, influential voices, and dedicated researchers from 27-29 August at SeaWorld Resort on the Gold Coast, Queensland.

Register now via www.biosym.com.au

The annual Bee Pest Blitz campaign has commenced and is calling on all Australian beekeepers to inspect their hives for high priority pests such as varroa and tropilaelaps mites this April. If you haven’t already, this is your sign to get bee-sy and inspect your hives before winter pack down.

By participating in Bee Pest Blitz month, Australian beekeepers will fulfil their bee biosecurity obligations and one of the two inspection requirements under the Australian Honey Bee Industry Code of Practice.

The Bee Pest Blitz campaign aims to create awareness of exotic and established bee pests, the importance of hive inspections using nationally agreed surveillance techniques and consistent record keeping and reporting of results.

Plant Health Australia (PHA) has developed a suite of resources to support the month-long campaign including posters, flyers, magnets and a new training video for beekeepers providing guidance on how to perform an alcohol wash for detecting the presence and monitoring the level of external mites. PHA has also developed three new factsheets on varroa mites, tropilaelaps mites and the essential components of bee biosecurity.

Consistent and ongoing surveillance activities are critical to ensure honey bees are safeguarded against high priority exotic pests, ensuring healthy bees are available for pollination services. Biosecurity measures ensure the honey bee industry is prepared for, and can respond to, new and emerging pest threats.

It’s time to bee aware. If you see anything suspicious, report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881.

Bee Pest Blitz is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, led by PHA and supported by the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council and all state and territory government agriculture agencies. 

Plant Health Australia’s (PHA) Digital Systems team recently delivered two shoulder workshops at the Annual Diagnostics Workshop and Annual Surveillance Workshops, held in Tweed Heads, NSW.

The two workshops not only provided attendees with an overview of two of Plant Health Australia’s (PHA) Digital Systems, AUSPestCheck® and the Australian Plant Pest Database (APPD), but also updated users on some of the new features and enhancements that were recently developed.

The team provided an overview of the role of AUSPestCheck® for plant health surveillance as well as core system functionalities through presentations, live demonstrations, and discussion.

AUSPestCheck® offers a range of new features which increase the value for plant surveillance activities. These include a major enhancement in data sharing capabilities of AUSPestCheck® to facilitate data partnerships that help towards improving the national understanding of pest status and surveillance undertaken for enhanced decision making in the event of a detection and provides better understanding of gaps or duplication in surveillance activities. Furthermore, it provides a pathway for two-way sharing of data between industry and government in AUSPestCheck® for building datasets supporting proof of freedom claims for market access. The workshop attracted 20 attendees, from Commonwealth and state governments as well private sectors and universities.

The team also presented a workshop on the Fundamentals of the Australian Plant Pest Database (APPD). Attendees gained an understanding of how to navigate the APPD to locate information on voucher specimens for invertebrates and pathogens that affect plants of economic and ecological significance, develop confidence in their use of the system, and understand the importance of having accurate and up to date reference collection information made available to them for decision making purposes.

Attendees included individuals from various government organisations with expertise in policy and risk analysis, entomology, and plant pathology, as well as collection managers of national reference collections that contribute data to the APPD.

The hybrid Annual Diagnostics Workshop 2024 (ADW 2024) and Annual Surveillance Workshop (ASW 2024) took place at the Twin Towns Conference and Events Centre in Tweed Heads, NSW, from 19–21 March 2024.

Plant Surveillance Network Australasia-Pacific (PSNAP) and National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostic Network (NPBDN) shared their knowledge and learnings, and facilitated connections and collaborations through presentations, panel discussions, and workshops.

The second day of ADW 2024 overlapped with the Annual Surveillance Workshop (ASW) 2024, allowing both NPBDN and PSNAP members to meet and network between sessions.

Highlights of ASW 2024 included:

• 23 presentations, including three presentations delivered by invited guests Prof Michael Douglas who spoke about the evolution of large research collaboration supporting biodiversity conservation and environmental management; Dr Heleen Kruger who shared her insights into unlocking the potential of general surveillance programs in remote regions; and Dr Desi Ramoo who discussed the challenges posed by brown marmorated stink bug in New Zealand and the adoption of new surveillance technologies and preparedness techniques
• a panel session delivered by delegates from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Timor Leste that addressed the topic of surveillance perspectives and case studies from our near neighbours
• two presentations from our successful 2023/2024 PSNAP residential awardees
• three shoulder workshops: overview and demonstration of AUSPestCheck®; introduction to National Surveillance Protocols (NSPs) and their applications; and putting NSPs into action
• 74 in-person delegates attended the event from all Australian states and territories, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, and New Zealand, with 35 virtual attendees.

 
Highlights of ADW 2024 included:

• 31 presentations, including three presentations delivered by invited guests Andrew Turley from CSIRO who presented a national approach to biological collections; Andrew Geering from the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation who presented a review of Begomoviruses and whiteflies in the Top 42; and Cait Selleck from Agriculture Victoria who spoke about froghoppers and potential vectors of Xylella fastidiosa
• a panel session delivered by Francesco Martoni, Reannon Smith, and Elizabeth Fowler on non-destructive nucleic acid extraction methods
• seven presentations from our successful 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 NPBDN residential awardees
• three shoulder workshops: the fundamentals of the Australian Plant Pest Database (APPD); National Diagnostic Protocols (NDP) development and review; and rapid molecular assays to detect honey bee mites
• 70 in-person delegates attended the event from all Australian states and territories, New Zealand and Florida in the United States, with 82 virtual attendees.

Keep an eye out for news regarding the upcoming Virtual Annual Diagnostic and Surveillance Workshop, to be held on Wednesday, 5 June.

The National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostic and Surveillance Professional Development and Protocols Projects are coordinated and delivered by Plant Health Australia and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The projects aim to enhance and strengthen Australia’s diagnostic and surveillance capacity and capability to identify priority plant pests that impact on plant industries, environment and the community.

In the first quarter of 2024, Plant Health Australia (PHA) has prioritised engagement opportunities across the plant biosecurity system to improve collaboration, strengthen partnerships and enhance integration.

One of these opportunities was the Nationally Integrated Surveillance System for Plant Pests (NISSPP) workshop in mid-March where plant industry and government representatives from across Australia gathered in Melbourne to finalise activities to investigate requirements for the development of a NISSPP. The workshop presented findings from consultation undertaken with PHA Members, discussed current surveillance system and programs, and identified requirements to improve the way plant pest surveillance is delivered and resourced into the future.

Also during March, Dr Lucy Tran-Nguyen, General Manager: Partnerships and Innovation, Stuart Kearns, National Manager: Preparedness and RD&E, and I appeared before the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee for a Senate Enquiry into Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA) in Australia. PHA’s submission to the Senate Enquiry on RIFA was based on our learnings from successful national eradication programs under the EPPRD and provided recommendations to improve delivery of the national outcome to eradicate RIFA from Australia.

As part of the Decade of Biosecurity project, the Invasive Species Council and PHA coordinated the Parliamentary Friends of Biosecurity event held at Parliament House in Canberra recently. Themed ‘Prevention is better than the cure’, the event hosted by Costa Georgiadis from Gardening Australia, was opened by MP Andrew Wilcox and featured guest speakers including Johnathon Davey from Melons Australia, Stephen Targett from the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council, resident beekeeper Cormac Farrell and Senator Glenn Sterle. Also in attendance were our larger-than-life 3D printed Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) and varroa mite, who made their debut to raise awareness of the role biosecurity plays in protecting our valuable agricultural industry and how partnerships underpin the plant biosecurity system.

April is PHA’s birthday month and this year marks 24 years of building a strong and resilient plant biosecurity system for the benefit of the economy, environment, and community. We remain committed to this mission, as reflected in our three strategic priorities and our 2024-25 Annual Operational Plan (AOP), which outlines our key activities for the next 12 months. Our AOP was presented to Members on Thursday 28 March and the Member consultation period closes on Friday 26 April. The updated AOP will be distributed to Members ahead of the Member meetings in May.

April is designated for the annual Bee Pest Blitz month which calls on all Australian beekeepers to inspect their hives for high-priority pests like varroa and tropilaelaps mites. Monitoring honey bees on a regular basis is vital to protecting them against high priority exotic pests and ensuring they are healthy enough to perform pollination.

It is with great sadness that I share the news of the sudden passing of Dr Matthias Jost, PHA’s Project Officer: Digital Systems, earlier this month. Matthias joined the team in July 2023 and played an important role in further developing AUSPestCheck®, PHA’s innovative virtual plant pest surveillance coordination tool. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Matthias’ partner, family, and friends.

We have another full month ahead of us and on Sunday 12 May we celebrate International Day of Plant Health (IDPH) to raise global awareness of the role of plant health in ending hunger, reducing poverty, and protecting biodiversity and the environment. PHA will be supporting IDPH with a sponsored morning tea at the Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative (PBRI) Symposium taking place from 8-9 May in Cairns, Queensland.

Join us in supporting IDPH and host a morning tea on Monday 13 May to celebrate. To help you promote IDPH through your channels, we have prepared a stakeholder pack which can be downloaded off the PHA website.