The Chief Plant Protection Officer and staff from her office part sponsored, helped organise and attended the Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative (PBRI) Symposium in Cairns on 8-9 May 2024. This biennial Symposium, coordinated by Dr Jo Luck, Program Director of the PBRI, highlights the importance of collaborating across industries, to achieve improved plant biosecurity through better coordination of research investment. Delegates at the symposium also joined in a celebration of the International Day of Plant Health with a special morning tea sponsored by Plant Health Australia.
Over 180 delegates attended the symposium, including representatives from government, Research and Development Corporations and research organisations, Plant Health Australia, peak industry bodies and growers. The symposium provided an opportunity to hear about the impacts and outcomes of plant biosecurity research co-investment and created a time for stakeholders to connect and collaborate.
Senator the Hon Murray Watt, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry opened the symposium with a pre-recorded message, highlighting the work of government in protecting Australia’s plant biosecurity followed by a keynote address by Danny le Feuvre, CEO, of the Australian Honeybee Industry Council, who discussed what worked well in the response, what didn’t work and what was needed for the recovery of the industry following the Varroa mite incursion in New South Wales.
A diverse range of speakers presented on early warning and risk, diagnostics and surveillance and capability building. The dinner address was given by Dr Angus Carnegie, Senior Principal Research Scientist, Forest Science at the NSW Department of Primary Industries, who drew attention to the impact of myrtle rust on our forests and cultural heritage. Symposium participants were also treated to the moving ‘Roots to Resilience film on the impacts of this disease on our communities - https://publish.viostream.com/play/dicbhzwrrabm7a
On the second day of the symposium, the Department’s Secretary gave an address focused on the department’s approach to safeguarding Australia's biosecurity, by integrating science, innovation, and regional collaboration. There was a panel on industry perspectives on biosecurity, and sessions on Trans -Tasman biosecurity research, resilient crop protection systems and readiness and recovery. The keynote address by Brett Fifield, CEO of Hort Innovation emphasised the complexity of delivering on the biosecurity investment for the 37 horticultural industries, giving examples of projects that are having a positive impact.
To see details of the Symposium including abstracts of the presentations, visit https://kaigi.eventsair.com/QuickEventWebsitePortal/plant-biosecurity-research-symposium-2024/pbri2024
