Board Meeting 110

The Plant Health Australia (PHA) Board recently travelled to Brisbane, Queensland to hold Board Meeting 110 (BM110). Their itinerary included spending valuable time with Members discussing priorities and gaining an increased understanding of the importance of biosecurity within their operations.

BM 110 was held on Monday 27 February 2023, hosted by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QDAF). The meeting had the full attendance of the PHA Board as well as Chief Executive Officer Sarah Corcoran, Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary Michael Milne and Chief Operating Officer Jessica Arnold.

The BM110 agenda included discussion of strategic issues, a review of financial reports, risk management plans and policy, Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD) management and compliance. The Board also endorsed preparations for the 2023-24 Annual Operational Plan, including Member engagement and webinar in March and presentation to Members at the General Meeting in May.

The Board discussed several topics and issues relevant to implementation of company strategy, operations and PHA Members including:

  • The significant investment of company time in the first half of the financial year on incursion management, nearing the total budget allocation for the entire year. This result indicates the increased ‘risk and result’ of plant pest incursions and the pressure on the national system with concurrent and increasingly complex incursions. Activities that PHA delivers include the EPPRD custodian role; advice to affected Parties and the lead agency; and ensuring implementation of cost sharing in accordance with Response Plans, efficiency and financial audits and other checks and balances that ensure a robust and efficient plant biosecurity system.
  • The new pilot Industry Liaison Officer (ILO) Training delivered in Queensland in February with 27 industry participants representing 12 industries attending, and future training scheduled in Tasmania in May
  • PHA’s work in developing EPPRD training for Industry Boards, that was piloted in Brisbane for the Australian Avocados Limited (AAL) Board on 15 February 2023
  • The approval of the Mid-Year Performance Report for 2022- 2023.
  • The results of the PHA Members survey that were presented including favourable feedback that interactions with PHA staff are overwhelmingly positive with 89% having positive interactions in the past 12 months with staff displaying collaboration and integrity values. A more comprehensive outline of the results will be made available to members at the Members meeting in May.
  • Discussion on the methodology, and timeframe for the upcoming PHA Board selection process.

While in Brisbane, the Board met with the Biosecurity Queensland Ministerial Advisory Council (BQMAC) and senior QDAF officials to discuss priorities and opportunities for collaboration. The Board also met with members for a strategic discussion and feedback on the EPPRD, its role in supporting a national approach to biosecurity and PHA’s role as custodian.

The strategic discussions informed planning for the upcoming Deed meeting and Annual Debrief meetings on 1 June, that will include strategic and operational topics and reinforced the need for ongoing engagement and awareness raising on the benefits of partnerships.

Site visits to Steritech and Pohlman’s Nursery provided Directors’ with an overview of the business operations, phytosanitary and biosecurity practices utilised at each of the sites and the important role biosecurity plays in domestic and international market access.

On the final day, the Board had an opportunity to see Australia’s border protection firsthand with visits to the Brisbane International Airport, federal detector dog program and Department Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) Queensland laboratory facilities.

Overall, BM 110 was a productive and successful meeting. Board meeting 111 is scheduled for Tuesday 30 May 2023 prior to the 22nd General Meeting of PHA to be held Wednesday 31 May 2023 in Sydney.

Message from the CEO

Welcome to the second edition of Tendrils for 2023.

Agrifood tech innovation and biosecurity work hand-in-hand to increase productivity and strengthen food safety to ensure produce moves safely from the farm-to-the fork. Together these elements enhance our ability to build a strong biosecurity system and ensure food security. Last week, I had the pleasure of participating in a biosecurity panel discussion at evokeAG 2023 in Adelaide where I shared Plant Health Australia’s role and activities to safeguard our $100 billion industry target. From farmers, innovators and researchers to corporates, government and investors; the event saw thought leaders in agrifood technology converge for two days to discuss the trends, challenges and opportunities that will shape the future of food and agriculture.

Towards the close of 2022, we invited our Member base to evaluate our performance against the Strategic Plan 2022-27 and the implementation of programs, initiatives, communications and engagements. Thank you to our Members for participating in the survey and for highlighting what we did well and identifying areas for improvement in 2023. The results of the survey will inform initiatives and activities for the next 12 months.

Earlier this month, our Executive team had the opportunity to engage with our Government Members to improve their understanding and awareness of their role in our governance structure, the activities funded by their annual subscriptions and the process and timeframes for the development of our Annual Operational Plan (AOP). The AOP provides an overview of our income and expenditure, presents the key activities and targets for the next financial year and outlines the actions required to support our five-year strategy. Annually, this draft plan is presented to Members at the AOP webinar at the end of March and input invited. This year the AOP webinar will be held Thursday 30 March at 2.00pm with an additional member feedback period of Friday 31 March – Wednesday 26 April. The updated draft AOP is then scheduled to be distributed to Members in early May. Invitations for the AOP webinar have gone out to our Member base.

Our Member meetings are a feature on the PHA calendar and provide us with the opportunity to share company information and knowledge, and exchange challenges, opportunities and successes. Save the date! This year our Member meetings will be held Wednesday 31 May and Thursday 1 June. Registrations details will be provided closer to the time.

As a learning organisation working in the world of biosecurity, PHA is well-versed in adaptability and the need to make strategic shifts to meet changes. This month, I’m pleased to announce that Jonathan Terlich has been promoted to National Manager: Partnerships and welcome him to PHA’s Executive Management Team. Jonathan will be responsible for leading the review, development and implementation of key plant health strategies. During February, we also welcomed Yvonne Ogaji, Project Officer: Surveillance, Rebecca Powderly, Project Officer: Biosecurity Planning and Implementation and Jimmy Lu, Graduate Project Officer: Digital systems. On the recruitment front, the process for our new General Manager is well underway with interviews concluded last week and I look forward to announcing the outcome in March.

A nationally integrated surveillance system

Australia’s current surveillance system is facing significant challenges created by growing levels of trade, changing product pathways, agricultural expansion and intensification, an increase of urbanisation close to crop production areas, and climate change. With an average of 40 plant pest incursions each year affecting plant industries and governments, these incursions cause competition for resources and create an expanding need for capability and capacity in our surveillance and diagnostics programs with an ever-increasing range of priorities that need to be addressed.

Funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), and led by Plant Health Australia (PHA), a project to identify mechanisms to guide the establishment and maintenance of a future Nationally Integrated Surveillance System for Plant Pests (NISSPP) has commenced.

PHA has contracted Ron Glanville, Biosecurity Advisor to undertake consultation to gain an initial understanding of the different priorities and needs for an integrated surveillance system. He will also seek views on addressing the requirements for the future surveillance system, including next steps in identifying stakeholders in a NISSPP.

The findings of this consultation will be shared in two workshops that will be held in conjunction with the Annual Diagnostics and Surveillance Workshop 2023 (ADSW) and the PHA Member meetings in May 2023. Further consultation and development of models for delivery and resourcing of surveillance will follow these workshops in the last half of 2023.

Related documents

NISSPP Summary Discussion Paper

NISSPP Placemat

Scoping a centralised HTS database

Australia has an increasing need for fast and accurate identification of plant pests. High Throughput Sequencing (HTS), also known as next-generation sequencing or deep sequencing, is a significant new method in plant health diagnostics.

HTS generates massive datasets, and the increasing amount of data being generated on pests and pathogens of plants has emphasised the need for a secure, centralised platform that allows the submission, sharing and analysis of standardised HTS data.

As part of a project funded under the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s (DAFF) Biosecurity Innovation Program, Plant Health Australia (PHA) hosted its second stakeholder workshop in February to continue consultation on the scope of the proposed nationally coordinated HTS database. The workshop was facilitated by MTP Services who is contracted to scope and design the database and consult on maintenance requirements.

The workshop was well attended with 32 participants from a wide range of stakeholder organisations including DAFF, state and territory government departments, CSIRO, Bioplatforms, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Forests and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) and Hort Innovation. The workshop developed and scoped out user requirements and expectations, clarified the type of data, metadata requirements, data standards, and access levels and security.

One-on-one interviews with selected workshop attendees will be undertaken by MTP Services to finalise user requirements for database administrators, data providers and data users. The final workshop will be held in Melbourne on 18 April to address insights and issues before the report is finalised.

For further information please contact PHA’s Cheryl Grgurinovic or Lucy Tran-Nguyen.

National Action Plan Workshops for Timber and Tree Pests

PHA is delivering a series of workshops starting in Perth on 22 February 2023 to help develop a National Action Plan for Pests of Timber and Trees.

The first tranche of workshops will be delivered at multiple locations around Australia to discuss key issues and identify specific actions to address pests of timber and trees. Dates and times for these workshops are below:

  • Perth: 22 February 2023, 9:00am-1:00pm
  • Northern Territory (virtual workshop): 2 March 2023, 9:00am-1:00pm
  • Sydney: 15 March 2023, 9:00am-1:00pm
  • Melbourne: 16 March 2023, 9:00am-1:00pm
  • Brisbane: 17 March 2023, 9:00am-1:00pm
  • Adelaide: 21 March 2023, 9:00am-1:00pm
  • Hobart: 22 March 2023, 9:00am-1:00pm
  • Canberra: 28 March 2023, 9:00am-1:00pm

Two national workshops will also be held later this year to refine key aspects of the draft plan and its associated implementation schedule. Information on the date and location for these workshops will be provided to stakeholders as they become available.

Once completed, the plan will describe the priority areas for a national approach for prevention, detection, response and cross-cutting issues related to exotic pests threatening Australian timber and trees.

If you are interested in being involved or attending the workshops, please contact forest_admin@phau.com.au

CitrusWatch bolsters industry biosecurity capacity

The Australian citrus industry is a large and vibrant horticultural industry, with over 28,000 hectares of citrus planted by approximately 1,400 growers . This industry provides significant value to rural communities and the wider economy, and without adequate preparedness future biosecurity threats pose serious risks to the $942 million industry. The establishment of exotic pests could have major financial ramifications for producers, regional areas, as well as national exports.

One year ago, a new five-year national biosecurity program called CitrusWatch was launched to protect the citrus industry from harmful exotic pests and diseases. Funded by Hort Innovation using the citrus research and development levy, the Plant Health Australia (PHA) biosecurity levy and contributions from the Australian Government, the program aims to expand surveillance, conduct industry training, lead risk assessment and modelling and improve governance and collaboration.   The Northern Territory Department of Industry Tourism and Trade (NT DITT) and research group, Cesar Australia, provides surveillance, communication and research support.

Between August 2022 and January 2023, the project:

  • reviewed the Threat Summary Tables and is finalising the development of a Biosecurity Implementation Plan
  • developed communication material to support surveillance and biosecurity awareness;

– developed an online training course to assist with surveillance and diagnostics of citrus psyllids. This course is expected to be launched in early 2023
– raised awareness through articles published in Australian Citrus News
– recorded a ‘who’s watching your citrus’ podcast episode for Citrus Australia’s full bottle podcast.

  • Continued to develop Pathway Risk Assessment models to help identify high risk areas.
  • Completed Spring sticky trapping in southern and northern Australia.
  • Completed targeted surveillance activities in 3 urban and 1 commercial citrus production area in Darwin, Sydney and Melbourne.
  • Supported the development, review and refinement of a National Surveillance Protocols (NSP) for Citrus Canker.

More info:

Hort Innovation | Citrus industry biosecurity preparedness strategy (CT20006) (horticulture.com.au)

Biosecurity – CITRUS AUSTRALIA

Forestry consultation on the Timber/Tree workshops

A project to develop a nationally agreed approach to prevent, prepare for, and respond to pests of timber and trees that pose significant economic and social risk to Australia’s forest industry has commenced.

The National Action Plan (NAP) for Pests of Trees and Timber, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), 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.

A series of NAP workshops will be held in all states and territories with invited government, industry and community stakeholders to inform development of the plan. The first workshop is planned for February 2023 in Western Australia

Stakeholders will be provided with information about dates and locations for the workshops as they become available. If you would like to register your interest for the workshops or learn more about the project, please contact PHA at forest_admin@phau.com.au.

Scoping a HTS database for a connected diagnostics system

High throughput sequencing (HTS) technology is being used to increase Australia’s plant pest diagnostic capacity, and deliver rapid, more accurate results to support our agribusiness and our environment.

HTS generates massive datasets and the increasing amount of data being generated on plant pests has emphasised the need for a secure, centralised platform to allow the submission, sharing and analysis of genomic data.

Plant Health Australia (PHA) is working on a project to lay the critical foundation for the design and scope of a national HTS database, which involves significant ongoing consultation with potential users.

The project team conducted the first stakeholder workshop on 2 September 2022 with participants from government departments and research organisations. This workshop identified numerous issues to consider in developing the database’s specifications.

Two further stakeholder workshops are planned to consider these issues in-depth and to identify any other issues. The second virtual workshop will be scheduled for early February and the third in early April.

One-on-one interviews will also be held with stakeholders when needed, to ensure user requirements discussed at the workshops are accurately defined.

The final report with detailed specifications for the database, including recommendations on where to host the HTS database and estimated future running costs, is due for completion at the end of June 2023.

This project is funded under the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s (DAFF) Biosecurity Innovation Program, which supports collaboration between industry and government, investing in identification, development and implementation of innovative technologies and approaches to enhance the capacity of Australia’s national biosecurity system.

Message from the CEO

At Plant Health Australia (PHA), we’ve started the year with a calendar full of exciting projects, collaborations and events. Of note in the first six months is the Plant Surveillance Network Australasia-Pacific’s National Forest Pest Surveillance webinar and evokeAg (February) Northern Australia Food Futures Conference (May), Hort Connections (June) and the National Fruit Fly Symposium (July). This year, April and May will be dedicated to increasing awareness and reporting of bee pests via a national Bee Pest Blitz campaign which will be run throughout these two months.

It has been another wet start to the year with the third consecutive year of La Niña causing widespread rain and flooding in both Queensland (QLD) and Western Australia (WA) with growers and pastoralists doing it tough. The prolonged rain and flooding not only causes damage to crops, but also increases the risk of unwanted pests and diseases. In WA, the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements has been activated to help those within disaster affected communities while in QLD the Agriculture Disaster Impact Survey seeks information on properties affected by severe weather events to inform the process for activation of disaster recovery assistance. Building resilience in both floods and drought is key to a profitable agriculture industry and grant applications are currently open to support innovative and experimental farming methods to increase drought resilience.

Each year begins with reporting on our achievements in the past six months and developing our next Annual Operational Plan (AOP) as key priorities. Development of the Mid-Year Performance Report, which tracks our progress against the current AOP has commenced with the final report scheduled for release in March. Ongoing consultations with our Members on operational priorities will inform the 2023-24 AOP, with our AOP webinar scheduled for Thursday 30 March.

With a new year often comes a career change and Dr Mila Bristow, General Manager, Partnerships and Innovation, will be leaving PHA in mid-February to join Hort Innovation in the newly created role of General Manager, Trade and Biosecurity Research and Development in. Mila has played a key role in providing strategic direction and leadership within PHA, brokering government-partnered programs, leading the National Fruit Fly Council (NFFC), and establishing new programs. We are delighted that we will continue to work with her on key biosecurity projects in future. Recruitment for a new General Manager has commenced with applications closing on 13 February 2023. This month we also welcomed Richard Hughes as the Learning and Development Manager in our Emergency Response team.

We would like to congratulate Simon Smith, President of Northern Territory Farmers, who was recently reappointed to the Greenlife Industry Australia’s Board of Directors.  In another change of guard, Dr Rachel Chay has been appointed as Malcolm Letts successor in the role of Deputy Director-General, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and Chief Biosecurity Officer at Biosecurity Queensland. PHA would like to thank Malcolm for his commitment and significant contribution to Queensland’s and Australia’s biosecurity system and wish him all the very best in his future endeavours.

I look forward to the next 12 months and to strengthening those partnerships that will continue to build a strong and resilient plant biosecurity system.

 

 

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. The second phase of this project, funded through the AUSVEG-PHA National Vegetable and Potato Biosecurity Levy, kicked off in July 2021, after the successful completion of the first phase. Phase 2 focuses on recognising the importance of urban biosecurity and creating research, development and extension programs for farm biosecurity.

“The project continues to promote the shared responsibility of all key stakeholders to improve biosecurity resilience and increase on-farm preparedness measures implemented by Australian growers,” said Sarah Corcoran, CEO of PHA.

The project has positively impacted both at macro and micro level by effectively raising industry awareness and understanding of the biosecurity threats affecting vegetables and potatoes, while increasing vital face-to-face connection with growers to discuss on-farm practices, hygiene and concerns.

Over the past 12-months, the project achieved all milestone deliverables. Most notably, the biosecurity officers delivered 15 face-to-face workshops, visited 72 growers in five states and territories, and attended 22 field days, meetings and other industry events.

Key biosecurity messages such as information sessions on priority pests, demonstrations on new diagnostic tools and the latest R&D developments were delivered to industry through face-to-face workshops, online webinars, speaking engagements at industry events and visits to growers across Australia.

“The willingness of growers to engage with the biosecurity team demonstrates an increasing recognition of the project and its objectives,” said Sarah.

“Online and in-person programs have enabled the biosecurity team to engage effectively, and they plan to continue investigating new ways to communicate with emerging growers and further building on existing relationships” she said.

Communication and collaboration between AUSVEG, state and federal agricultural departments, regional vegetable and potato industry bodies and other horticultural industries have strengthened considerably, resulting in more efficient and effective dissemination of biosecurity information.

“As a result, exotic pest and disease detections have increased and have led to successful eradications in urban environments,” said Sarah.

Valuable relationships have also been fostered with local and regional agronomists, councils, research bodies, service providers and non-grower industry representatives, furthering reach and engagement and providing home and community gardeners with access to important information and resources.

Communication has also played a significant role in the project and the biosecurity officers have used traditional, online and social media to convey key biosecurity messages, priority pest updates and other important, relevant information.

Over the 12-month period, the AUSVEG Biosecurity and Crop protection webpage had 84,867 visitors and 89 media mentions, resulting in a total audience reach of over 2 million. AUSVEG also published nine articles in print media, produced 31 online articles and Twitter followers increased by 10%.

Numerous resources were also developed over the milestone period, including the publication of a Guide to Security for Home and Community Gardens, finalisation of a four-page guide on brown marmorated stink bug, a silver leaf whitefly fact sheet, development of a fact sheet for varroa mite and a draft foot bath guide.

The project and MOU are scheduled to renew in July 2023.