CRC for Plant Biosecurity - PBCRC

CRC news updates

CRICHTONA — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 23:03:04 +0000

The CRCNPB has started sending out a new fortnightly email newsletter to ensure any CRC news is disseminated regularly to our stakeholders.

The newsletter – Plant Biosecurity CRC Newsletter – will not replace The Leaflet altogether, but will provide more regular news updates.

From July full The Leaflet will only be produced each quarter, with the Plant Biosecurity CRC Newsletter sent out every couple of weeks.

Subscribers to The Leaflet have not automatically been included on the Plant Biosecurity CRC Newsletter distribution list, so if you would like to receive the news update please email the CRCNPB.

Back to The Leaflet.

New starters for PBCRC

CRICHTONA — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:59:02 +0000

The CRC is pleased to announce the appointment of two Program Coordinators, who are joining the team in time for the launch of the Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre (PBCRC).

There was a high level of interest in the roles and the field of applicants was of a very high calibre. The successful applicants are:

Programs 1 and 2: Dr Jo Luck
Jo comes to us from the Department of Primary Industries Victoria (DPI Vic) where she was principal research scientist in Plant Microbiology in the Biosciences Research Division. Jo has been heavily involved with the CRCNPB and was the Project Leader on the CRC's Climate Change project that determined the potential risks associated with climate change for key wheat pathogens. She completed her PhD at the Australian National University and CSIRO Plant Industry on the molecular mechanisms of plant disease resistance studying the flax-rust system. Jo will be based in Melbourne.

Programs 3 and 4: Dr Sharyn Taylor
Sharyn is currently the Program Manager (Biosecurity Planning and Implementation) with Plant Health Australia. She was the project leader on the CRC's Grain Knowledge Networks project which aimed to develop an effective knowledge exchange strategy for the grains industry to improve its phosphine insect resistance management outcomes through identification of the methods in which information is delivered and exchanged through the grains supply chain. Sharyn was previously employed at SARDI as a Senior Research Scientist. She completed a PhD on the biology of, and yield loss caused by, root lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) in broad acre agriculture in South Australia and has published several journal articles in this field. Sharyn will be based in the office in Canberra.

Sharyn and Jo will commence in their roles in mid-May.

Back to The Leaflet.

The lighter side of PBCRC

CRICHTONA — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:39:31 +0000

The CRCNPB is currently looking at new program icons for each of the four research programs for the Plant Biosecurity Research Centre (PBCRC), which begins on 1 July 2012. The four research programs are:

- Early Warning
- Effective Detection and Response
- Safeguarding Trade
- Secure Future

After an extensive search, the CRC staff had a bit of fun with some ‘out there’ suggestions.

Program 1: Early Warning

Program 2: Effective Detection and Response

Program 3: Safeguarding Trade

Program 4: Secure Future

If you have a humorous suggestion which you think can better these suggested by CRC staff, send it in for your chance to win a CRCNPB prize.

Back to The Leaflet.

Plant Biosecurity CRC

CRICHTONA — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 05:31:38 +0000

The Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre (PBCRC) received the good news in November 2011 that it had been successful in its bid to secure further funding from the CRC Program until June 2018. The PBCRC will receive $29.7 million from the CRC funding and over the six years and its 26 Participants from industry, government, universities, and international organisations will invest $102 million in cash and in-kind. New participants include the University of Queensland and internationally, Kansas State University USA, Plant and Food Research New Zealand and the Bio-Protection Research Centre based at Lincoln University in New Zealand. Their involvement reflects the fact that plant biosecurity is a global issue.

The PBCRC will provide linkages, participation, resources and science, operating across all jurisdictions, to capitalise on the work of the CRC for National Plant Biosecurity (CRCNPB). It will assist in delivering an effective operational Biosecurity R & D system through the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity (IGAB) and National Plant Biosecurity Strategy (NPBS).

The four Research Programs to be undertaken in the PBCRC cover the biosecurity continuum:

Research Program 1 – Early Warning will include the identification and assessment of new and emerging plant pest threats and pathways, and the development of decision-making tools which will support planning and preparation.
Research Program 2 – Effective Detection and Response will develop tools to underpin surveillance strategies, smarter diagnostics and sharper, more cost-effective responses to incursions.
Program 3 – Safeguarding Trade will involve the development of techniques and tools to safeguard trade and market access for grain and horticulture exports; and develop new ways to manage established pests.
Program 4 – Secure Future will engage and inform the Australian community, government and industry to raise national awareness and defences against plant pests. In addition it will develop a lasting legacy of biosecurity knowledge, research, networks, tools and training.

The programs will have delivery and adoption along with education and training embedded throughout them. This will help ensure there is uptake of the research by end-users and the education component will train the next generation of biosecurity experts and help to fill the critical shortage Australia currently has of plant biosecurity specialists.

The PBCRC will build on the achievements of the CRCNPB by developing and applying practical technologies and solutions to a growing global problem; promoting biosecurity awareness; and laying the foundation for an enduring national legacy in plant biosecurity science.

As the PBCRC gets ready to commence operation, the CRCNPB has been reaping the benefits and rewards of its research to date. The Digital Diagnostics project won three awards in 2011: the CRC Association’s Excellence in Innovation Award, the Queensland Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Green category and The Australian Innovation Challenge Award in the Food and Agriculture category.

PBCRC rebid gets nod

CRICHTONA — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:00:21 +0000

The CRCNPB is very pleased to announce it has been successful in its bid for additional funding from the CRC Program. The PBCRC has received funding from the federal government for six years, commencing 1 July 2012.

Congratulations and thank you to everyone who helped us achieve this fantastic result.