News / Tendrils | September 2026
Tendrils | September 2026
Your monthly round-up of plant biosecurity news
Message from the CEO
Welcome to the September edition of Tendrils.
This past month provided several opportunities to see biosecurity in action. From PHA’s Board visit to Orange, to new industry resources and training opportunities, this month’s activities demonstrate the many ways biosecurity is being strengthened. This edition of Tendrils also highlights important work across industries, including biosecurity plans, surveillance and market-access tools, and outcomes from National Biosecurity Week. Together, these initiatives reflect the value of sustained investment, strong partnerships and shared responsibility in building a more capable and resilient plant biosecurity system.
Board meeting #124
PHA’s Board of Directors convened in Orange on Tuesday 15 September for Board meeting #124. Read the Communiqué.
2026-27 Annual Operational Plan Addendum now available
The 2026-27 Annual Operational Plan (AOP) Addendum has been published and includes Member subscription calculations for 2026-27. The AOP Addendum is now available to download from the PHA website.
Build the skills to support your industry in a biosecurity response
Industry Liaison Officer (ILO) training helps prepare industry representatives to support emergency plant pest responses. PHA’s latest workshop was delivered in Bundaberg, with registrations now open for the final training session of the year in Darwin.
Peeling back priorities for potato biosecurity
PHA is developing a new Biosecurity Plan for the potato industry. A panel of industry and biosecurity experts recently met to review priority pests and contribute to an Action Plan that will help guide future preparedness and response activities.
AUSPestCheck® provides evidence for Xylella freedom claims
AUSPestCheck® provided evidence supporting Australia’s freedom claims for Xylella, helping maintain market access arrangements for industries vulnerable to this high-priority exotic plant pest. The example demonstrates the value of coordinated surveillance across government and industry.
National Biosecurity Week 2026 highlights preparedness
National Biosecurity Week 2026 brought together organisations and communities across Australia to promote prevention, preparedness and early action. The campaign highlighted the importance of shared responsibility and practical biosecurity action in protecting what matters.
New Biosecurity Plan for the Olive industry
A new Biosecurity Plan (BP) for the Australian Olive Industry identifies priority exotic pests and diseases and outlines actions to strengthen preparedness, surveillance and response activities. Developed through collaboration between industry, government and scientific partners, the BP will help guide future biosecurity efforts.
Industry news
CANEGROWERS celebrates 100 years
CANEGROWERS is marking a century of representing Queensland sugarcane growers, celebrating the people, communities and shared history that continue to shape the industry.
National Ag Day returns in November
National Agriculture Day will be held on 20 November 2026, celebrating the people behind Australia’s food, fibre and regional communities under the theme Our Farmers, Our Future.
Budworm warning for pulse growers
Native budworm moth activity is being monitored across South Australia, with growers encouraged to inspect crops regularly and watch for damaging larvae as spring progresses.
Fire ant controls remain in place
Movement restrictions and surveillance continue across parts of Queensland and northern New South Wales as authorities work to prevent red imported fire ants becoming established in NSW.
Community joins fight against Qfly
Communities in Perth’s southern suburbs are helping contain Queensland fruit fly through surveillance, treatment and movement controls that support ongoing eradication efforts.
Australian apples gain ground in China
Australia’s apple industry is building new export opportunities in China, with growers celebrating strong early trade results and growing demand following market access gains in 2025.
Protected cropping boosts farm resilience
Queensland growers are investing in protected cropping systems to improve productivity, reduce weather-related losses and extend growing seasons.
Tea tree industry backs research investment
Australia’s tea tree industry is investing in long-term research and innovation through a levy-funded program that supports productivity, market access and industry sustainability.
Sterile flies support fruit fly response
South Australia has resumed sterile insect technique releases in the Riverland, helping reduce Queensland fruit fly breeding and support ongoing eradication efforts.
Mango symposium calls for research topics
The Australian Mango Research Symposium is seeking topics and abstracts, bringing researchers and industry together to help shape future research priorities.
Industry consultation supports pollination strategy
Stakeholders are invited to help shape Australia’s future pollination priorities, with consultations underway to inform the development of a national pollination strategy.
Careers program showcases horticulture opportunities
A new Hort Innovation program is promoting career pathways across horticulture, helping attract future talent and strengthen the industry’s workforce for years to come.
Latest from Prevent Fruit Fly
National Fruit Fly Strategy development progresses
The final workshop informing development of the next National Fruit Fly Strategy was held in September, bringing total stakeholder participation to more than 55 representatives nationwide. Feedback and economic analysis will help shape the new strategy and identify future priorities for fruit fly management and market access.
Latest from Grains Farm Biosecurity
Stop snails getting a free ride
Snails can spread between paddocks and properties by hitchhiking on machinery, vehicles, boots and equipment. Learn how simple hygiene practices and access management can help reduce the risk of spread, protect grain quality and support market access.
New fact sheets support summer crop pest awareness
Two new fact sheets are available for soybean looper and spotted stem borer, two high priority exotic pests that are not present in Australia. Learn how to identify these pests, recognise symptoms and support early detection through monitoring and reporting.
Latest from Farm Biosecurity
How to protect your property boundaries
The way people, vehicles, equipment and deliveries enter your property can influence biosecurity risk. Learn how property maps, signage, access routes and clean-down areas can help manage movement and reduce the risk of pests, diseases and weeds entering your property.
Latest Farm Biosecurity newsletter available now
The August/September edition of the Farm Biosecurity newsletter is now available. This issue includes practical guidance on biosecurity planning, property access, response readiness, pig industry preparedness, free BOLT training and how AUSPestCheck® supports biosecurity outcomes.
PHA’s Board received a presentation from Dr Chris Anderson, NSW Chief Plant Protection Officer, during BM 124 hosted by the NSW DPIRD.
PHA’s CEO, Sarah Corcoran, with Liza Szabo, Executive Director Biosecurity & Food Safety, NSW DPIRD, during PHA’s Board meeting.
PHA Board Directors visited Goldfields Apiaries, where Jon Lockwood, Chair of the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC), shared insights into honey pro
PHA’s CEO, Sarah Corcoran, with Jon Lockwood, Chair of AHBIC, during a visit to Goldfields Apiaries.
PHA Board Directors completed a ‘Come Clean, Go Clean’ foot bath before entering Stockman’s Ridge Vineyard as part of a field visit to learn about outcomes from a NSW DPIRD-led Xylella preparedness project.
PHA Board Directors toured Stockman’s Ridge Vineyard to learn more about outcomes from the NSW DPIRD-led Xylella preparedness project.
PHA Board Directors visited the NSW DPIRD Reference Collections and State Control Centre in Orange.
National Biosecurity Committee (NBC) members met in Darwin for NBC 45, with the program including a tour of the Berrimah Farm Science Precinct.
PHA’s Dr Lucy Tran‑Nguyen, General Manager, Resilience and Innovation, with Lois Ransom, Public Service Medal (PSM), and Harsh Garg, Manager, EPPRD (Operational), during a visit to PHA’s Canberra office.
PHA’s Zoe Nix, Acting Manager, Learning and Development, attended Animal Health Australia’s (AHA) Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases (CCEAD) training in Canberra.
