|
|
|
|
|
 Michael's Musings
Dr Michael Robinson, CEO | @DrMRobinson
The release of the Australian Farm Institute (AFI) discussion paper ‘A sustainable plant biosecurity RD&E system for Australia’ on April 4 has put national coordination of the research that supports Australia’s enviable biosecurity status firmly on the agenda.
As Australia ramps up for a likely July election, the time is right to have this important discussion about protecting the future of our unique environment, and ensuring Australian agriculture can fulfill the promise of the ‘dining boom’.
So why the need to consider a fresh approach to the national coordination of plant biosecurity RD&E?
The importance of biosecurity to Australian agriculture is irrefutable – industry has made it clear, as have several significant reviews (Beale, IGAB, a Senate Committee report, the Primary Industries RD&E Framework).
There is also no question of the vital role that high quality science plays in underpinning a biosecurity system which is the envy of the world. Australian agriculture cannot meet the expectations of premium international markets without it.
The AFI discussion paper makes the same conclusion. So why the urgency?
The fact is that we are facing increasing biosecurity risks, continued capacity decline and the loss of $0.27bn of shared investment at the conclusion of 13 years of plant biosecurity CRCs in 2018. (Continue to read the full article here). |
|
A strong future for plant health science: have your say by 9 May
If you are a stakeholder in agriculture or a plant industry then plant health research, development and extension (RD&E) that underpins a robust biosecurity system in Australia will be of importance to you.
Earlier this month the Australian Farm Institute released a discussion paper on possible options for a long-term, sustainable plant biosecurity RD&E model for Australia.
All stakeholders in the plant biosecurity system - industry, agriculture, growers, government, environmental organisations - are encouraged to review this paper and make a submission by 9 May.
 Your submission will inform the final paper from AFI, and will guide PBCRC’s recommendation to the Australian Government on a sustainable plant biosecurity RD&E structure.
You have two simple options to make a submission: an easy and quick survey style online submission or a written submission on behalf of your organisation or as an individual.
For a sustainable future for plant health and biosecurity RD&E in Australia, please have your say.
Go to Smart biosecurity science for more information and to make a submission.
This month's feature story
Myrtle rust - a threat to the Australian landscape and plant industries
In Australia plants that feature commonly in the landscape from the Myrtaceae family - such as eucalypts, tea tree and paperbark - are under threat from a devastating disease called myrtle rust (Puccinia psidii). Industries that rely on these plants for their production value, such as lemon myrtle and forestry plantations, are also feeling the impacts of the disease.
Through a PBCRC research project scientists are investigating how to manage the impact of myrtle rust. This disease has the potential to cause widespread change in native plant species and the ecological communities they support. Myrtle rust has spread rapidly and is now considered established and widespread along the entire east coast of Australia.
Read this month's feature story about the impacts of myrtle rust on the environment, communities and industry and how PBCRC research is helping build knowledge for management of this devastating disease.
myrtle rust feature | Social biosecurity
Communities and culture: engaging with biosecurity threats
Through consultation with New Zealand Māori and Australian Aboriginal communities, the PBCRC project Engagement for Resilience in Indigenous Communities has developed a bi-cultural engagement model that uses many key cultural principles and values.
There is a high risk that myrtle rust will reach New Zealand with all myrtaceous species (introduced and indigenous) being potential hosts. All indigenous Myrtaceae species can be considered as taonga (or treasure) by Māori and a number of these species have been extensively used by Māori for medicine, construction and food, or have significant cultural value. Read more.
myrtle rust feature | environmental biosecurity | capacity building
Video: Ecological impacts of myrtle rust in Australia
It is important to have updated information on the distribution and impacts of invasive species, such as myrtle rust, so decision-makers can make informed decisions about quarantine, management and control.
Hear from our PhD student Laura Fernandez from Macquarie University discussing her research into myrtle rust. Watch the 3 min video here.
surveillance
PBCRC researchers talk pests, unmanned aircraft systems and Pestpoint at CPM-11 in Rome
Two PBCRC researchers were invited to speak at the Eleventh Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-11), convened in Rome at the beginning of April.
CPM-11 focused on planning for surveillance as part of a global strategy being coordinated through the International Plant Protection Convention. Dr Brian McCornack from Kansas State University and Dr Gary Kong, both PBCRC Project Leaders, were invited to speak at a session on surveillance titled ‘Plant Health in the 21st Century’. Read more here.
 |
|
|
Event: Smart biosecurity science for horticulture
If horticulture is your business then this symposium is for you - delivering science that has impact for your industry. Hear from researchers about:
- Fruit fly detection and control
- Surveillance, detection and response for horticulture
- A sustainable RD&E system to support national plant health: Smart Biosecurity science
The symposium will feature a research showcase from the next generation of plant biosecurity scientists from PBCRC's PhD program. This is a free symposium to be held in Melbourne on 30 May 2016. Register here.
Advancing Plant Pathology Fund recipient
Congratulations to University of Queensland student Noeleen Warman, who is the recipient of the Advancing Plant Pathology Fund 2015. She will undertake her honours degree research into the Epidemiology of Fusarium wilt in Bananas (Panama Disease).
The Fund is about building future capacity for plant health science by providing scholarships to support education in the science of plant pathology to enhance the protection of agriculture, forestry and the environment from plant diseases. This Australasian Plant Pathology award was sponsored by the Plant Biosecurity CRC. |
|
|
Welcome to Dr Jutta Tuerck
We welcome Dr Jutta Tuerck to the role of Research Coordinator in our Canberra office. Jutta comes to us from the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) where she has worked in a variety of roles over the past ten years including Biotechnology Policy, Plant Biosecurity, Deregulation and Plant Import Operations.
Jutta has a Masters in Biology from Germany, completed PhD research in California and with Monsanto in the US, a postdoc in Cambridge in the UK, as well as ten years at the plant biotechnology company Advanced Technologies (Cambridge) in the UK.
This diversity of experience and a strong scientific background will be a valuable addition to the team as the PBCRC research portfolio delivers over the next two years. In her role as Research Coordinator Jutta will be focusing on the delivery of regulatory research projects.
“Using my skills, experience and networks acquired at the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, I am looking forward to contributing to the PBCRC team and the range of innovative research they have in place. This job is contributing to safeguarding Australia’s plant health status and I am proud to be a part of that. It is vital to overseas market access and protecting our economy and environment from the impact of exotic plant pests.”
|
|
|
Geocaching and biosecurity community engagement
Awareness of biosecurity matters across the community is essential for the biosecurity framework to work properly. In reality though, a vast proportion of the population have little to no knowledge of what biosecurity means or how it affects our daily lives.
It is this knowledge gap that NSW Department of Primary Industries, with the support of the Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre, is trying to address by adopting some novel forms of community engagement. Enter the geocaching project. Read all about this novel project here.
|
|
|
Australia-Indonesia biosecurity partnership
PBCRC recently signed a bilateral research agreement with five Indonesian research organisations that will see mutual plant biosecurity research, education and training to benefit both Indonesian and Australian biosecurity. As well as working together on research projects, the partnership will exchange personnel, jointly supervise Masters and PhD students, and share seminars, symposia and bilateral talks. Read the media release.
Plant Biosecurity Priorities Forum
This two-day forum brings together stakeholders to link national science and research priorities to the needs of plant industries and governments. Organisations are invited to share their perspectives on problems and solutions in plant biosecurity so that research priorities can be aligned with the areas of greatest need. Register here. |
|
|
recent Publications
Wasala M. T. D. Ekanayake, Mudalige S. H. Jayasundara, Thelma Peek, Anthony R. Clarke and Mark K. Schutze, The mating system of the true fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni and its sister-species, Bactrocera neohumeralis, Insect Science, DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12337
Trębicki P, Vandegeer RK, Bosque-Pérez NA, Powell KS, Dader B, Freeman AJ, Yen AL, Fitzgerald GJ & Luck JE, Virus infection mediates the effects of elevated CO2 on plants and vectors, Sci Rep. 4 March 2016, 6:22785. doi: 10.1038/srep22785
|
events
|
| Established and supported under the Australian Government's Cooperative Research Centres Programme
|  |
|
|
|
| |
