On 1 July 2010 our bid for an extension of eight years operating as the Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre was submitted. As discussed in my column in the latest Leaflet, the Plant Biosecurity CRC will comprise of a mix of new and existing Participants from government departments, universities, grain companies, industry representative organisations, research organisations as well as international organisations who have a strong plant biosecurity focus.

This significant milestone could not be reached without the support of our Participants who recognise the need and demand for strong scientific research to underpin Australia’s plant biosecurity system. We also could not have achieved this without the skills and expertise of everyone who helped put together a strong and robust science program. I believe we have submitted a very strong bid which is now in the hands of the CRC Program Committee.
The Program Leaders for the new Plant Biosecurity CRC met last week to workshop ideas for a project for each program and to start building these ideas into a comprehensive project plan. We are required to have a full project developed for each program. (The Program Leaders and programs were announced in my column in the latest edition of The Leaflet – click here [1] if you haven’t received your copy).

In mid-to-late August, the CRC Program will announce the shortlisted interview applicants. If we are successful at this stage, we will continue to refine the projects which will be presented at the interview.

I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the preparation of the bid. It has been very rewarding to see everyone come together sharing their ideas, skills and knowledge to build the programs and associated activities. I sincerely hope that I am able to share good news with you in August.