Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative: Phase I Report 2017–20
The coordination of 15 national biosecurity projects has been achieved at the end of the first phase of the Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative (PBRI). They include investments in preparedness, diagnostics, and pest surveillance and are detailed in the report on Phase I of the PBRI.
The PBRI provides a vehicle to leverage investment with a focus on cross-sectoral biosecurity issues, this creates greater value for Australian industries compared to making multiple, individual industry-based investments.
Fifteen collaborative projects have been coordinated and contracted though the PBRI members in the past three years.
Some of the investments
- A dedicated Xylella program manager whose focus is aimed at increasing grower awareness and preparedness for this disease which affects over 500 different plant species.
- The development of fall armyworm (FAW) awareness podcasts, research on pesticide resistance and contingency planning across multiple plant industries.
- Boosting National Diagnostics project, making sure we can diagnose high priority threats across all plant sectors.
- iMapPESTS, a collaboration of government, industry and researchers developing a mobile plant pest surveillance network that monitors and reports the presence of high-priority pests and diseases.
- Next generation sequencing tools to fast-track screening for pathogens of imported plant material in post-entry quarantine facilities.
- eDNA detection and sampling protocols for the real-time detection of brown marmorated stink bug.
- Support for the 2020 International Year of Plant Health (IYPH), which promotes the message of ‘protecting plants, protecting lives’.
Comments from a review
In May 2020, an independent review of the PBRI, by RMCG Consulting, found that:
- “strategic international partnerships with Better Border Biosecurity (B3) New Zealand and European Phytosanitary Research Coordination (Euphresco), were considered important to PBRI’s position in global biosecurity RD&E”
- “stakeholders acknowledge the critical importance of PBRI in driving collaboration of national plant biosecurity RD&E and they envisage even greater benefits from the next phase of the PBRI”