Realistic biosecurity simulation exercises, the development of an Australian grains’ biosecurity guide and the appointment of a national biosecurity co-ordinator are some of the latest steps being taken to protect Australian grain growers against exotic plant pests.
Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and Plant Health Australia (PHA) have recently signed a joint $3.5 million Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to bolster the Grains Industry Biosecurity Plan 2023-28.
The additional investment will support the implementation of the national biosecurity plan, announced last August to strengthen biosecurity protections and help safeguard Australia’s $32 billion grains industry.
The extra $3.5m from GRDC adds to the substantive investment Australian growers make to biosecurity through the PHA/Biosecurity Activity Levy (approx $2m/year), the Exotic Plant Pest Response Levy (approx $1m/year) and a range of GRDC investments to address biotic threats (totalling $56.8m in 2023–24).
The plan has been developed to give industry, governments and stakeholders the expert framework and focus needed to help prevent, prepare for, and respond to grains-specific biosecurity incursions.
Developed in collaboration with industry leaders and biosecurity experts, the plan identifies more than 1300 different exotic plant pests and disease threats that could impact the Australian grains industry.
It also details a number of programs and proactive measures required to protect growers, industry and the economy.
GRDC managing director Nigel Hart said the MOU would provide another $3.5m to allow critical measures to be implemented.
“GRDC, on behalf of Australian grain growers, is investing in this work with our main partners Plant Health Australia,” he said.
“We are doing this to support the industry to develop improved biosecurity practices, so we are prepared and proactively guarding against the very real threat exotic pests and diseases pose to agriculture.
“Importantly this plan has the support of the entire industry. We are working together to ensure the systems are in place to allow us to be responsive and act in a timely way – two critical factors that can be the difference between effective control and industry devastation.”
PHA chief executive officer Sarah Corcoran emphasised while grain growers and the broader agricultural sector were the main beneficiaries of a strong and proactive biosecurity plan, benefits extended to governments, industry, researchers and the wider Australian community.
“The grains industry is a vital contributor to both Australia’s national economy and many regional economies,” she said.
“As biosecurity threats grow more complex in our changing world, it is crucial that we unite our efforts with a shared purpose and clear, measurable outcomes.
“We intend to build on previous initiatives to identify pressing current and emerging exotic pests of greatest concern to the grains industry, with a practical guide outlining key areas for surveillance, education, and mitigation efforts.”
She said this would enable both industry and government to make informed decisions in response to growing biosecurity challenges facing Australia.
“At the heart of this agreement is a strong partnership framework, ensuring that both the GRDC and PHA are as prepared as possible to combat some of the world’s most devastating exotic pests.”
The biosecurity plan will be reviewed and updated regularly over coming years with a particular focus on three main areas:
• Pest risk scanning to ensure we capture and learn from the latest international literature on our key pest threats.
• Ongoing coordination of the development and management of preparedness information resources.
• Reviewing the plan’s progress to improve understanding of pest risk profiles and entry pathways, and to target surveillance efforts to areas of greatest risk. The plan also details development of an enhanced partnership approach between key players.
