CRC for Plant Biosecurity - media release

Young CRCNPB scientist recognised in national award

K.Scott — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 03:24:46 +0000

Media Release: 28 November 2008

A PhD student's commitment to plant biosecurity research has won the 2009 Northern Territory Young Australian of the Year Award.

Ms Rachel Meldrum, PhD student with the Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity (CRCNPB) is based at the Diagnostic Services Division of the Northern Territory's Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources.

Ms Meldrum was nominated for her contribution to science and the sustainability of Australia's banana industry and said she was honoured and surprised to receive the award.

‘Personally, I am flattered to win the award given the calibre of the other nominees', she said.

‘It's not often that science is given this high-level platform, so I am grateful my research in the banana industry is recognised for its importance to all Australians'.

Ms Meldrum's CRCNPB project involves researching how the exotic plant disease (Fusarium wilt) is spread in the banana industry, and will also develop alternative quarantine strategies to minimise the economic and social impact of possible incursions.

CRCNPB Chief Executive Officer, Dr Simon McKirdy said the award was a credit to Ms Meldrum's enthusiasm and dedication, and paved the way for her to have a successful career in science.

‘Rachel is a great ambassador for young scientists, which is rewarding in a time when Government recognises Australia's future science capability is critical to a strong, thriving and innovative society', he said.

Dr McKirdy said the CRCNPB is committed to training high-quality postgraduate and post-doctoral scientists to provide the nucleus of Australia's future plant biosecurity capability.

‘We currently have 26 students enrolled in universities across Australia who are all conducting research to benefit the nation', he said.

In a time when biosecurity is emerging as a serious global issue, Australia's plant industries are relatively free of many of the plant pests and diseases that impact on agricultural industries in other countries.

‘Students like Rachel, and all our researchers focus on innovative research to ensure Australia's plant industries maintain their valuable competitive advantage in the market,' said Dr McKirdy.

‘The CRCNPB plays a vital role to enhance the scientific effort, enabling Australia's plant industries to pre-empt and, therefore, diminish the economic, social and environmental impact of emergency plant pests,' he said.

The CRCNPB is the central coordinating body for plant biosecurity research across all Australian states and territories and was established under the Australian Government's Cooperative Research Centres Program.

Ms Meldrum's research is supervised by staff from the Northern Territory's Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources and the University of Queensland.

ends

Contact: Kate Scott, Communications Officer - Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity

email: k.scott@crcplantbiosecurity.com.au tel: 02 6201 2882 or 0438 389 092

Interviews: Dr Simon McKirdy, Chief Executive Officer tel: 02 6201 2882 or 0438 389 092

Investigating plant pests just got fun!

K.Scott — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:18:48 +0000

Media release: 7 November 2008

Australia's former Chief Scientist, Dr Jim Peacock AC officially launched a beautifully illustrated big book for children yesterday at the CSIRO Discovery Centre.

Developed and written by the Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity (CRCNPB), Dr Jim Peacock said Plant Pest Investigation will be a key resource to foster interest in science and educate children about the importance of plant biosecurity.

‘Resources such as this book provide the younger generation with awareness of important issues and are also fundamental to capturing enthusiasm for science at an early age,' said Dr Peacock.

‘By sharing the story with their families, hopefully children will raise community awareness about plant biosecurity issues and become ambassadors for science,' he said.

CRCNPB Chief Executive Officer, Dr Simon McKirdy said the book was part of the CRCNPB's school education strategy, which addresses Australian Government reports on declining participation in science and the possible future shortages of skilled scientists.

‘Through Plant Pest Investigation, we hope to address some of the issues government has identified by portraying themes of plant biosecurity and science through an engaging and exciting story,' said Dr McKirdy.

‘Our aim is to create enthusiasm for science at an early age to inspire a new generation of Australian scientists, as well as provide an educational resource that can be used in the classroom,' he said.

Fifty kindergarten children from Gold Creek Primary School attended the launch and participated in a reading of Plant Pest Investigation by the book's character scientist, Dr Wheaten.

Plant Pest Investigation is a story of siblings Sam and Lily who embark on a scientific investigation with scientist Dr Wheaten, to find the reason behind Sam's sick plant. Their investigation takes them through memories of their overseas holiday, a trip to their grandparents' farm and a visit to a real science laboratory. During their investigation, they learn about the importance of protecting Australia's crops from pests.

Plant Pest Investigation can be ordered through the Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity's website www.crcplantbiosecurity.com.au

The CRCNPB is the central coordinating body for plant biosecurity research across all Australian states and territories.

Researchers share knowledge to protect plant biosecurity

CRICHTONA — Mon, 28 May 2012 06:02:07 +0000

Researchers from the Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity have met in the Swan Valley, Western Australia, to exchange ideas about how to further protect Australia's plant biosecurity from the ongoing threats from pests and diseases.

The CRCNPB Science Exchange - which has been a regular event for the past six years - brings together the CRCNPB Board, staff, researchers, industry and participants to share plant biosecurity expertise.

Over two and a half days the Science Exchange provided project teams with the opportunity to present the research they have conducted to their peers, in what is a mass ‘knowledge sharing' forum.

The Science Exchange doubled as a celebration, highlighting the outstanding achievements of the CRCNPB over its seven year term, while also looking forward to what may lay ahead in the six year term for the Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre (PBCRC), which begins operations on 1 July 2012.

The Exchange included an Awards Dinner on Thursday 24 May, with a number of research teams recognised for their outstanding research.

Awards included:

Science Committee Award for Science Impact: Biosensor-based Detection of Grain Pests (CRC Project 20081 led by Alisha Anderson)
Science Committee Award for Biosecurity Impact: Post Entry Quarantine (CRC Project 40050 led by Brendan Rodoni)
Science Committee Award for Collaboration: Ensuring Effective Phosphine Application (CRC Project 50091 led by Greg Hopkins)
Science Committee Award for Contribution to the CRC: Jo Luck
Science Committee Award for Best Presentation: Mark Schutze
Board Directors Award for Best Poster: Phillip Burrill
People's Choice Award for Best Poster: Anna Rathe

CRCNPB CEO Dr Simon McKirdy was thrilled to see so many researchers present for the final Science Exchange of the CRCNPB.

"Plant biosecurity is vital in protecting Australia's native flora and fauna and export markets, so it is fantastic to have nearly 200 delegates here to share ideas about how we can further improve research in these areas," Dr McKirdy said.

"To have international partners present from the USA, China, New Zealand and Indonesia provided opportunities to develop collaborative research further afield than Australian shores, which will have a positive impact for plant biosecurity worldwide and indicates biosecurity is a global issue."

Dr McKirdy also acknowledged the researchers recognised at the Awards Dinner.

"I would like to congratulate the project teams recognised at the Science Exchange Awards Dinner, the nominations were of a very high standard, so the awards highlight the outstanding results our researchers have achieved in helping to safeguard Australia against the ongoing threat of plant pests and diseases."

More information:
Dr Simon McKirdy, Chief Executive Officer, CRCNPB, 02 6201 2412
Max Knobel, Communications Manager, CRCNPB, 0402 327 087
http://www.crcplantbiosecurity.com.au

A printable version of the media release is available here.

Australia, China join on global food security

CRICHTONA — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 22:41:24 +0000

The Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity (CRCNPB) has developed
memoranda of understanding with two leading Chinese science agencies and a university to
mount joint research programs aimed at curbing losses of grain and other vital crops to
insects, moulds and plant diseases.

“Food security is a top national priority for China – and Prime Minister Julia Gillard has
recently made it one for Australia as well. It is becoming a critical issue around the world.
This is a deal that makes good sense from every perspective,” the CEO of CRCNPB Dr Simon
McKirdy said today.

“When we visited China to sign these agreements, we were told food is in fact the Chinese
government’s number two priority overall. And we saw clear evidence of the massive
reinvestment and technical tooling-up they are now making in food and agricultural science.
Compared with what’s happening in Australia, it is huge – and the new partnership means
we now stand to benefit from their investment in science.”

The CRC signed MOUs with the Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine and the
Chinese Academy of State Administration of Grain and will shortly sign a third with
Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University. These provide primarily for increased joint
research, and greater exchange of scientists and PhD students between the partners.

The initial research focus of the new collaboration will be in diagnostics – timely
identification of plant pests and diseases – and in the management of pests in stored grain.
“Worldwide, humanity loses anywhere between 8 and 20 per cent of its annual grain
harvest to insects and moulds – that’s enough food to feed every hungry person on the
planet,” Dr McKirdy explains.

“Australia is recognised as a world leader in dealing with insect pests in stored grain, and the
Chinese are keen to partner with us in this area.

“Also they really emphasised their concerns about the need to reduce the use of fumigants
and other chemicals used in food production.

“Australia has particular skills in developing clean, green approaches to grain hygiene and
China is keen to find non-chemical solutions to grain pests, so this works well for both of
us.”

The benefits from joint research collaboration can potentially flow on to other countries,
helping to improve global food security in general, Dr McKirdy says.

China is a major market for Australian grain and horticultural exports, with potential to grow
significantly, he adds. The biosecurity collaboration will assist this development. “Australia
will benefit by building a greater understanding of the import requirements for Australian
produce (as they apply to plant biosecurity) which will assist our grains and horticulture
industries develop further markets in China.”

More information:
Dr Simon McKirdy, Chief Executive Officer, CRCNPB, 02 6201 2412
Max Knobel, Communications Manager, CRCNPB, 0402 327 087
http://www.crcplantbiosecurity.com.au

A printable version of the media release is available here.

Dr Simon McKirdy with the Chinese delegates signing the MOU.

Back to The Leaflet.

Wiping out pests without wiping out vineyards

CRICHTONA — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 01:02:41 +0000

In an international breakthrough for pest control, Australia scientists have developed a new way to wipe out invading pests of tree crops or vines – without having to destroy the crops.

“The usual way to control a major pest invasion in an orchard or vineyard is to dig up all the trees or vines and burn them,” explains the Chief Executive Officer of the CRC for National Plant Biosecurity (CRCNPB), Dr Simon McKirdy.

“This can cause heartbreak, destroy livelihoods and disrupt a whole industry. In the case of vines that may be 100 years old, the loss is irreplaceable. We decided there had to be a better way.”

A team of CRCNPB researchers led by Dr Mark Sosnowski of the South Australian Research & Development Institute (SARDI) has joined hands with their American plant biosecurity colleagues to run an offshore trial in which they have proved it is possible to exterminate a dangerous crop disease – without destroying the farm.

Their chosen target was a fungal disease not yet found in Australia, known as black rot – a devastating disease of vines.

“Our approach was to try out various disease control strategies in the field, under real life conditions,” Dr Sosnowski explains “As black rot does not occur in Australia, we had to do the final tests with the live disease in the US, where it is endemic.”

The researchers started their trials in Australia using a local fungal disease called black spot that behaves similarly to black rot. In the first year they cut the infected vines right back to the trunk and sprayed them, while litter on the ground was cleared and burned. This achieved 90 per cent control of the disease. READ MORE

How Aussies put the sting on a stripey pest

CRICHTONA — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 23:03:19 +0000

Media Release: 12 September 2011

An army of keen-eyed Australian families has helped notch up a vital victory in the never-ending war on a ferocious and painful invader.

European wasps have been consistently exterminated from the pleasant homes, gardens, farms and parks of Perth, Western Australia, in the process demonstrating the effectiveness of a national defence approach to dealing with damaging invaders.

“We’re absolutely delighted how effective the wasp control in WA has been,” says Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity (CRCNPB) Chairman, Professor John Lovett. “Essentially, like the famous Coastwatch in World War II, it is about ordinary Australians who keep their eyes peeled for signs of invasion. We can then send in the ‘troops’ to defeat it.”

The stripey, aggressive European wasp (Vespula germanica) was first detected in Tasmania in 1959, then crossed to mainland Australia in 1977. It has since become established in South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

The wasp also showed up in Perth for the first time in 1977, and has done so almost every year since, hitching rides on cargo from the Eastern States.

But in WA, every single one of its nests has been wiped out.

If even one survived, it would breed queens in their thousands, enough to populate the whole State with wasps, a CRCNPB report has found. READ MORE

Australia extends digital pest-detection network to Asia

K.Scott — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 02:31:16 +0000

Media Release: 10 August 2010

Australia’s digital pest-detection network is expanding to neighbouring Asian nations to identify and combat invasive insects and diseases that threaten Australia’s agricultural industries and markets before they arrive.

A network of more than 30 camera-connected microscopes linked to a public internet-based image library is already part of the arsenal being deployed to meet Australia’s biosecurity challenges.

This includes remote districts like Kununurra in Western Australia, which would otherwise have a limited access to the expertise required to identify new plant pests and diseases.

The digital diagnostic technology and procedures developed by the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for National Plant Biosecurity have now been extended to East Timor, Thailand, Laos, Malaysia and Vietnam to enhance their diagnostic capability and contribute to Australia’s ‘pre-border’ surveillance.

Plant pathologist Dr Gary Kong is leading the CRC’s digital diagnostic project and says the increasing volume of international trade and people movement are placing greater pressure on our quarantine systems.

“At the same time the pool of expertise to diagnose new incursions is shrinking. Digital tools are helping us to do more with less and increasing access to information that improves our capacity to identify new pests and disease and respond more quickly.” READ MORE

Instructions for downloading images

To download and save images, right-click on the link and click ‘save target as’. If you experience any problems, please contact Communications Manager, Kate Scott begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting on 0402 299 611 or k.scott@crcplantbiosecurity.com.au

Biosecurity researchers aid the surveillance of exotic disease

K.Scott — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:18:14 +0000

Media Release: 30 July 2010

You could be forgiven for thinking it’s a military operation planning room. Topographical maps are spread across the table with bright coloured dots indicating where the threat was located and hopefully eliminated. Satellite imagery of the local terrain is projected on to a white screen at the front of the room showing lush agricultural areas and mountainous state forests. There are no military uniforms though. This meeting is a gathering of scientists from the Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity and Industry & Investment New South Wales staff who are planning surveillance strategies to monitor this exotic threat.

The threat is Uredo rangelli (Myrtle rust) which was recently detected at a NSW Central Coast cut flower growing facility. Very closely related to the rust fungus causing guava rust, it infects the Myrtaceae family of plants (which includes many Australian native species). This is the first detection of Myrtle rust in Australia and while it’s not been found on eucalypts, there is limited knowledge of its impact or behaviour under Australian conditions.

CRC chief executive officer, Dr Simon McKirdy said the CRC was approached by Australia’s Plant Health Committee (PHC) to deploy scientific resources and assist with surveillance of the rust.

“Given our plant biosecurity research activities, PHC approached us as part of their management strategy. We have flown in researchers from across the country to provide as much assistance as we can,” he said. READ MORE

Instructions for downloading images

To download and save images, right-click on the link and click ‘save target as’. If you experience any problems, please contact Communications Manager, Kate Scott on 0402 299 611 or k.scott@crcplantbiosecurity.com.au

Wild dog disease to blame for cattle miscarry?

VANMEURSA — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 03:20:48 +0000

Global Biosecurity Media Relese: February 2010

New research linking wild dogs to miscarriage in cattle threatens to widen the impact the pests have on Australian livestock producers.

Known for their attacks on sheep, wild dogs are now under suspicion of transferring reproductive disease, neosporosis, to cattle.

Caused by the microscopic parasite Neospora caninum (N. caninum), neosporosis is estimated to cost the Australian dairy and beef industries, an average of $30 million a year in aborted pregnancies.

“Research has shown that vertical transmission alone, in which the cow transfers the parasite to its foetus, is insufficient to sustain infection in a herd,” University of Sydney PhD candidate Jessica King said.

Overseas research identified domestic dogs as a source of N. caninum infection to cattle during 1998. Dogs are capable of shedding N. caninum oocysts in their faeces following consumption of infected tissue or afterbirth from cattle. These oocysts become infective in the environment and can contaminate feed and water of livestock.

Ms King is working with the Invasive Animals CRC to research whether Australian wild canids (dingoes, dingo/domestic dog hybrids and foxes) are the missing link in the transmission of this disease to cattle. She explains what farmers can do to minimise the spread of neosporosis when she presents her findings at the Global Biosecurity Conference in Brisbane from February 28 to March 3.

Ms King said the symptoms of neosporosis in herds were sporadic.

“Cows or heifers may abort occasionally and in low numbers throughout the herd, or it may occur as an ‘abortion storm’, where up to 33 per cent of the breeding herd may abort within a few months.”

“Adult cows show no clinical signs of illness following infection.”

Recent surveys of N. caninum in cattle revealed that a large proportion of herds with the disease were located close to bushland where wild dogs and foxes are common.

“Our experimental trials identified that Australian dingoes are a definitive host of N. caninum and therefore a risk factor for neosporosis in cattle.”

“However we should not use data to condemn wild dogs, because farm dogs are likely to be as much to blame for the transmission of the disease to cattle.”

“Farm and other domestic dogs have ready access to potentially infectious material when fed offal and through scavenging on dead cattle and afterbirth.”

Ms King collaborates with scientists at the University of Technology Sydney, Charles Sturt University and Industry & Investment NSW. She is supported through a stipend from the Invasive Animals CRC who are joining forces with the Australian Biosecurity CRC for Emerging Infectious Disease and CRC for National Plant Biosecurity to host the world’s first international conference focusing on agricultural and environmental biosecurity.

Global Biosecurity 2010 is sponsored by: Horticulture Australia Limited, the Grains Research and Development Corporation and the Australian Centre of Excellence for Risk Analysis.

Photo caption: New research linking wild dogs to miscarriage in cattle threatens to widen the impact the pests have on Australian livestock producers.

Photo courtesy of Jessica King, University of Sydney

Registrations for the conference are now open. Visit www.globalbiosecurity2010.com

Media contact l Laureta Wallace

P (08) 6250 4561
M 0457 589 703

Summit to put spotlight on biosecurity

VANMEURSA — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 04:44:03 +0000

Global Biosecurity Media Relese: February 2010

In an Australian first, key players from across the biosecurity spectrum will come together under one roof to discuss the increasingly complex battle to protect the economy and environment from exotic pests and disease threats.

Global Biosecurity 2010: safeguarding agriculture and the environment will feature the ‘who’s who’ of the biosecurity world, showcasing the latest research in pre-border, border and post-border biosecurity science.

Key note speakers will include Rob Delane, Director-General of the Department of Agriculture and Food, WA; Bob Griffin, director of plant epidemiology and the risk analysis laboratory within the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; Associate Professor Mick Clout in conservation biology at the University of Auckland; and Dr Angus Cameron, AusVet Animal Health Services.

Greg Fraser, Executive Director and CEO of Plant Health Australia, will also be speaking at the conference.

“Australia’s geographic isolation has meant that we have remained free of many of the pests and diseases that have significantly impacted agriculture industries overseas. This is reinforced by a world class biosecurity system that works to mitigate these exotic biosecurity threats and retain the advantages of being pest-free, such as increased production, reduced operational costs and wide market access,” Mr Fraser said.

“The ongoing protection of our rural industries requires a number of partnerships. It requires partnering internationally, working beyond our borders to reduce the risks coming from overseas. It requires governments and industries working in partnership to ensure that systems are in place for prevention and incursion management. It also requires a partnership between governments, industries and producers to implement on-farm biosecurity measures and surveillance.”

The Global Biosecurity 2010 Conference will provide an opportunity to build on this partnership approach, with experts from government, agricultural industries, research institutions and environmental organisations coming together to share knowledge and build networks.

The conference will be hosted by the CRC for National Plant Biosecurity, Australian Biosecurity CRC for Emerging Infectious Disease and the Invasive Animals CRC.

The Global Biosecurity 2010 Conference is sponsored by: Horticulture Australia Limited, the Grains Research and Development Corporation and the Australian Centre of Excellence for Risk Analysis.

Registrations for the conference are now open. Visit www.globalbiosecurity2010.com

Media contact l Laureta Wallace

P (08) 6250 4561
M 0457 589 703