Investing in plant biosecurity

MORE than $27 million has been invested into research, development and extension projects through the Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative and partners since its inception just 18 months ago.

The initiative was developed to encourage collaboration and investment in plant biosecurity research, with a focus on managing threats to Australia’s plant industries and their environment.

The national value of plant industries at risk is valued at almost $30 billion per annum across the horticulture, wine, broadacre and forestry industries.

The PBRI program director Dr Jo Luck said pest, disease and weed threats to Australia’s plant production systems could have a catastrophic effect on Australian farm businesses, employees and the surrounding regional communities.

“Established to support cross-sectoral RD&E, the PBRI has formed new collaborations across seven plant industry research and development corporations (RDCs), Plant Health Australia (PHA) and the Department for Agriculture and Water Resources,” she said.

“We have seven major projects underway delivered through co-investment from state-based primary industry agencies, CSIRO and Australian universities. A further five projects valued at over $21 million is currently under consideration.”

Future RD&E projects include:

■ Two novel detection methods for brown marmorated stink bug, which is not established in Australia, but poses a high biosecurity risk due to their tendency to hitchhike in sea cargo.

■ Understanding the potential of native insects to transmit Xylella if it was introduced into Australia.

■ Boosting national diagnostic capacity for plant production industries.

■ Business continuity for farmers affected by emergency plant pest incursions.