CRC for Plant Biosecurity - global biosecurity

The Leaflet March 2010

VANMEURSA — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:37:51 +0000

CSI-inspired research to enhance quarantine detection methods

VANMEURSA — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:15:52 +0000

Global Biosecurity Media Relese: 15 January 2010

Travellers arriving at Australian international airports are met with stringent quarantine services to protect Australia’s privileged biosecurity status.

Currently, travellers are screened for ‘macro’ prohibited quarantine material such as plant material at Australian international airports but are unable to be screened for ‘micro’ material, such as plant pathogens that may be entering Australia on passenger’s hair, clothing or footwear.

Leading a Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity project, Western Australia’s Department of Agriculture and Food’s Dominie Wright said new research was looking at developing a more rigorous detection method.

“As part of this ‘Airport Forensic’ project, we are researching if pathogens can be detected using forensic methods, initially focusing on cereal rust and the level of human mediated rust entries into Australia,” Ms Wright said.

“The pathway for this material is not currently regulated as the organisms are not visible to the naked eye.

“There is a need to collect data that will support future communication activities aimed at informing individuals of the risk of carrying quarantinable plant pathogens on their clothing, hair or footwear when returning from overseas travel.

“The Airport Forensic project will look at the development of a rapid forensic kit, covering hair, footwear and clothing which may be used on targeted passengers in the future.”

Ms Wright said until the CSI-like forensic kit was developed, trialled and released for use, the biosecurity responsibility remained largely with the Australian public; a certain hot topic at the upcoming Global Biosecurity 2010 Conference in Brisbane.

“With the amount of international travellers entering Australia, quarantine inspectors do not have capacity to inspect each visitor for this micro material,” Ms Wright said.

“Researchers, growers and Australian travellers in general, often visit farms or related enterprises while on holidays overseas or interstate.”

“These individuals represent an undefined risk for inadvertently introducing exotic plant pathogens into Australia if appropriate biosecurity measures are not enforced.”

“Each incoming passenger is responsible for ensuring they follow good biosecurity practices and abide by quarantine laws to limit any potential threats.”

At the same time, Ms Wright said there is a need for the Australian community to be better educated about the potential biosecurity risks of micro material.

“Stopping the entry, establishment and spread of unwanted plant pathogens is vital for some of our agricultural industries, and for protecting and preserving our environment.”

Issues including the threats and impacts of the constant movement of people, plants and animals as well as a myriad of other biosecurity topics will be discussed at the first international Global Biosecurity 2010 Conference to be held in Brisbane in February next year.

The conference will bring together a host of biosecurity experts to discuss best practice and how Australia can maintain effective biosecurity measures, which are vital to keeping our agricultural industries and the environment healthy.

The conference is a partnership event between 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: the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC); the Australian Centre of Excellence for Risk Analysis (ACERA); Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS).

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

Media contact l Laureta Wallace

P (08) 6250 4561

The fight against feral disease

VANMEURSA — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:26:29 +0000

Global Biosecurity Media Relese: 21 December 2009

In a world where people, trade and goods are in constant transit – protecting Australia’s borders is vital to safeguarding the nation’s biosecurity.

But what about the potential threats that already exist within our borders? Australia is host to more than 50 invasive animal species, resulting in millions of feral animals roaming the country, providing a free ride for infectious diseases to spread and pose a threat to wildlife, livestock and humans.

Invasive Animals CRC Detection & Prevention coordinator and project leader, Dr Wendy Henderson, is helping to understand these potential risks and develop strategies to reduce the impact of invasive animals. She has just authored a review of disease agents found in feral animals in Australia, a hot topic which will be explored at the first international Global Biosecurity 2010 Conference in Brisbane. READ MORE

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

Media contact l Laureta Wallace

Phone: (08) 6250 4561

Harvest puts grains biosecurity under the microscope

VANMEURSA — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:35:10 +0000

Media Release: 25 November 2009

With harvest in full-swing across Australian grain-belts, biosecurity may not be the first topic that comes to mind out in the paddock.

However, as growers constantly monitor grain quality from the farm gate through to the delivery site, they are helping to maintain the biosecurity of the grains industry.

Judy Bellati, South Australia’s Grains Biosecurity Officer with Primary Industry and Resources SA (PIRSA), is part of the National Grains Industry On-farm Biosecurity Program, working with growers and service providers to raise awareness and provide education about grains biosecurity.

“Biosecurity is emerging as a major economic, environmental and social concern.”

“As an industry we are being expected to provide more and more evidence that our products are free from pests and diseases of biosecurity significance for market access,” Ms Bellati said.

“Australia’s geographic isolation has meant the grains industry has been relatively free of many pests that have wrought havoc on plant industries overseas.”

“This provides a real trade benefit for the Australian grains industry in securing market access.”

Ms Bellati, who will speak on grains biosecurity at the first international Global Biosecurity Conference in Brisbane early next year, said biosecurity should not be seen as a stand-alone issue.

“Biosecurity information needs to be integrated with other farming-system information and into existing grain extension programs.”

“Through alliances with national programs such as the Grains Research Development Corporation (GRDC) National Invertebrate Pest Initiative (NIPI), a large network of agronomists, farmers and other industry providers are becoming skilled in identifying and monitoring both common and exotic pests to the grains industry.”

“NIPI delivers invertebrate identification workshops and interactive newsletters which encourages reporting of seasonal pests and diseases to assist industry in on-farm surveillance.”

“These dynamic and interactive partnerships in grains extension programs play an important role in the industry by providing an enhanced learning experience and assist in biosecurity awareness and preparedness to ultimately benefit the industry.”

“Biosecurity is the responsibility of every person visiting or working on a farm and it is in the interest of all grain growers to ensure biosecurity risks are minimised by implementing simple biosecurity procedures,” Ms Bellati said.

Understanding the risks of potential biosecurity issues will form the basis of the Threats and Impacts stream of the Global Biosecurity 2010 Conference to be held in Brisbane from 28 February – 3 March 2010.

Global Biosecurity 2010: safeguarding agriculture and the environment is a collaborative partnership between Australian Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre for Emerging Infectious Disease, Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity and Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre.

The conference provides a unique forum for stakeholders from across the biosecurity spectrum, including researchers, industry representatives, policy makers, primary producers and importers/exporters to keep up-to-date on world’s best practice.

The Global Biosecurity 2010 Conference is sponsored by: the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC); the Australian Centre of Excellence for Risk Analysis (ACERA); and the Australian Government’s Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS).

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

Judy Bellati, South Australia’s Grains Biosecurity Officer, at the microscopes at an identification workshop in Western Australia. Ms Bellati will speak on grains biosecurity at the first international Global Biosecurity Conference in Brisbane early next year.

Media contact l Laureta Wallace
P (08) 6250 4561

Biosecurity defends key rural industry

VANMEURSA — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:49:14 +0000

Media Release: 30 November 2009

Australian researchers are studying genetic codes to learn how insects like the lesser grain borer are developing resistance to the world’s most widely used grain fumigant – phosphine.

With the harvest safely stored, grain growers often take a moment to relax; but not so the scientists involved in a national research effort to keep stored grain safe from feasting insects and to maintain Australia’s hard-earned reputation as a supplier of clean, pest-free grain.

Stored grain insects are a constant threat to grain exports – worth some $7 billion each year to the national economy.

Australia offers overseas grain buyers a ‘zero tolerance’ benchmark for insect infestation and this is a key element in Australia’s international competitiveness.

However, the capacity for insects to evolve their way around the limited number of environmentally safe fumigants available poses a constant challenge – one that is now being tackled by the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for National Plant Biosecurity. READ MORE

Photos by: Chris Freebairn, Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries

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