Addressing plant biosecurity through international partnership

On 1 March 2008, the CRC for National Plant Biosecurity partnered with 15 international agencies to form PRATIQUE, a consortium-under European funding-that will address major global challenges for pest risk analysis.

Our activity in PRATIQUE parallels our Preparedness and Prevention Research Program - to deliver the knowledge required to underpin decisions on the risk of entry, establishment and spread for emergency plant pests.

The expansion in global trade of plant material over the past century has led to a steady increase in the entry and establishment of new, economically or environmentally damaging plant pests, diseases and invasive alien species.

Many biosecurity issues surrounding trade are common worldwide and we are pleased to have the opportunity to work collaboratively with a major initiative such as PRATIQUE to enhance analysis of pest risks associated with global trade.

The CRC Plant Biosecurity has recognised climate change as a major plant biosecurity challenge. With our partnership with PRATIQUE, we are committed to providing Australian plant industries with the capacity to make informed decisions in regards to biosecurity and associated management of climate change impacts.