Workshop Sugar Rush
Workshop Sugar Rush was held in Townsville on 8 May to investigate how the sugar industry would manage an exotic plant pest incursion.
The workshop was funded by Sugar Research Australia to improve the biosecurity preparedness of the sugar industry.
It was attended by a wide range of sectors of the sugar industry including, cane growers, millers, productivity boards, peak bodies, researchers and the Queensland Government.
The many excellent discussions and a high level of enthusiasm at the workshop reflects an industry that wants to be prepared.
The focus of the workshop was on a fictional detection of Ramu shoot borer in the Burdekin growing region in Queensland. Participants worked through exercises to learn:
- what their role would be in an emergency plant pest response
- what information they would want to know and how best to communicate it
- how a response plan is put together and what information needs to go into it.
At the end of the workshop participants said it had been a valuable experience and that they now know what their role would be in an emergency plant pest response.
Read more information on biosecurity from Sugar Research Australia.