Protecting the Australian sugar industry against the threat from the estimated 480 exotic pests and diseases of sugarcane is vital to safeguard the 4,000 sugarcane farms, 24 sugar mills and the communities they support.  

To ensure the Australian sugarcane industry is best prepared for potential exotic pest and disease incursions, a project to update the industry’s Biosecurity Plan commenced in 2022. To develop a successful Biosecurity Plan, a collaborative approach is required that identifies the industry’s greatest biosecurity threats, enabling both industry and government to make informed decisions that improve its biosecurity preparedness.  

On Thursday 17 October 2024, Plant Health Australia (PHA), key stakeholders from the Australian sugarcane industry, and government gathered online and in-person at the Meringa Sugar Experiment Station in Gordonvale, QLD, to complete the final aspects of the Australian Sugarcane Biosecurity Plan.  

The meeting was facilitated by members of PHA’s Biosecurity Planning team, Dr Stephen Quarrell, Manager, Biosecurity Planning, and Evie Kielnhofer, Project Officer, Biosecurity Planning. In attendance were representatives from Canegrowers, Sugar Research Australia (SRA), QLD Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QDAF), Productivity Services from the Burdekin and Herbert sugarcane growing regions, and grower collectives such as QLD Cane Agriculture and Renewables (QCAR).  

Attendees reviewed the industry’s high priority exotic plant pests and diseases as well as other species already present in some regions of Australia that are subject to state movement controls or management efforts. The industry’s biosecurity preparedness was also discussed and an action plan was developed to capture current and future biosecurity activities including research, surveillance and diagnostic resources that enhance its capacity to manage biosecurity risks. The meeting also explored opportunities to increase grower engagement and adoption of on-farm biosecurity best practice through the development of a new Biosecurity Manual.  

PHA would like to thank the participants who contributed their time and expertise to this meeting and more broadly, to the development of the Australian Sugarcane industry’s Biosecurity Plan.