As Plant Health Australia (PHA) enters its 26th year, this milestone provides an opportunity to reflect on the strength of our foundations and our focus on the future. For the past 25 years, PHA has worked alongside our Members to strengthen Australia’s plant biosecurity system – an achievement built on partnership, shared responsibility and national coordination. In our role as the trusted coordinator of the Australian plant biosecurity system, we provide critical continuity of knowledge, a national perspective and longitudinal insight to plant biosecurity to ensure the system if future-orientated and solutions-focused.

As we enter the final stages of consultation for our 2026-27 Annual Operational Plan (AOP), I would like to encourage our Members to review the draft AOP and provide feedback by Friday 24 April. Your perspectives continue to play a critical role in shaping our focus and ensuring the AOP is fit for purpose, responds to emerging risks and is aligned with evolving Member priorities.

Recent fuel pressures combined with the school holiday period are timely reminders of the biosecurity risks associated with travel, particularly with exotic hitchhiker pests. The Hitchhiker pests eLearning Course was designed for those working in warehouses and distribution centres to create an understanding of these exotic pests, how and where to look for them and the actions to take if a hitchhiker pest is suspected. I encourage everyone to remain vigilant and to report anything unusual via the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881. Early reporting remains one of the most effective tools we have in protecting Australia’s crops and food supply.

Over recent weeks, I have also had the opportunity to contribute to broader biosecurity leadership activities, including participation as an independent panel member on the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Agricultural Scientific Collections Trust recruitment panel. The Trust is a statutory body established to oversee and manage the Agricultural Scientific Collections within DPIRD – which holds over half a million preserved scientific specimens. The age and size of the collections make them irreplaceable and reinforces the critical nature of these reference specimens in supporting Australia’s agricultural industries and environmental assets, by informing government policy decision making and market access. The collections also form a key component of the ecosystem of digital systems (Pest and Disease Image Library (PaDIL), the Australian Plant Pest Database (APPD) and AUSPestCheck®), administered by PHA that are integral to national plant biosecurity. I also participated in the National Biosecurity Committee meeting 44, where I provided an update on PHA activities and engagement supporting national coordination for preparedness, strengthening data and information sharing. Both engagements highlight the value of coordinated governance, trusted bodies of knowledge and robust data in the plant biosecurity system.

I would also like to congratulate Duncan Bremner on his appointment as Chief Executive Officer for Grain Producers Australia. Duncan brings extensive experience in agricultural representation and leadership across national organisations, and I look forward to working closely with him as we continue to strengthen collaboration across the grains sector.

Finally, as we recognised World Health Day earlier this month with its focus on science; it is worth reflecting on the fundamental connection between plant health, biosecurity and food security. A nationally coordinated biosecurity system is essential not only to protect agricultural production, but also to support healthy communities and a resilient food supply. On Tuesday 12 May 2026, we’ll mark the International Day of Plant Health, a United Nations recognised observance and a global reminder of the vital role plant health plays in protecting food security and the environment. Healthy plants are the foundation of agricultural productivity and global food supply and effective plant biosecurity plays a critical role in protecting crops from pests and diseases before they can establish and spread.

Together, reflecting on 25 years of partnership, shaping future priorities through the AOP, responding to biosecurity risks and continuing to lead and collaborate nationally, highlights PHA’s value in building the resilience of the Australian plant biosecurity system. Thank you to our Members and partners for your continued engagement, leadership and commitment to protecting Australia’s plant health. Together, we can build on PHA’s strong legacy while positioning the biosecurity system for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Regards,

Sarah Corcoran