Message from the CEO June 2021

June 15, 2021

This month, we kicked-off the halfway mark to the year by focusing on member and industry liaison through the Plant Industry Forum (PIF), General Meeting (GM), Members Forum, EPPRD Parties Meeting and Board Meeting held in Sydney over three days. In person and virtual attendance was high with 43 at PIF, 50 at GM, 58 at the Members Forum and 52 at the EPPRD Parties Meeting.

On day one, we were fortunate to host the Hon. David Littleproud, Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management at the Plant Industry Forum where the Minister expanded on the $401 million budget biosecurity package and the release of the Commonwealth Biosecurity 2030 – a strategic roadmap to direct and guide biosecurity projects, initiatives and investments.

Key items on the agendas included:

• an update on the joint AHA and PHA EPPRD consultation with the National Biosecurity Committee and the next steps
• progress on the development of our new five-year strategic plan including an overview of the process, and an update of the current Strawman Plan from consultant Russ Cummings
• presentation of the 2021-22 Annual Operational Plan
• Board recruitment and selection panel
• closing off the International Year of Plant Health.

In the past few weeks, the ACT has experienced record-breaking low temperatures. When we think of winter, it’s not normally in positive terms but with the release of ABARES Australian crop report – June 2021, we are celebrating the forecast of above average winter crop production.

Nominations for the Australian Biosecurity Awards (ABAs) are now open until 30 July. The ABAs recognise individuals, groups and organisations that have shown commitment to supporting and promoting Australia’s biosecurity and the systems that support it. Find out more about the eight award categories at awe.gov.au/ABA

In two months, the Crawford Fund’s 2021 Annual Conference will take place in Canberra. This year’s theme is Food and Nutrition Security – The Biosecurity, Health, Trade Nexus. The hybrid event (virtual and face-to-face) will feature international speakers and will explore the specific risks to plant, animal and human health, how they impact global food and nutrition security and the emerging technological and management solutions to overcome these risks. View the program.

Sarah Corcoran
CEO, Plant Health Australia