Plant health leaders converge on Queensland

News release | 10-May-2024

Chief Plant Health Officers from across the nation have converged on Queensland for a major event in the leadup to the International Day of Plant Health this Sunday.

Queensland Chief Plant Health Officer Michael Reid has welcomed Australia's Chief Plant Protection Officer Dr Gabrielle Vivian-Smith and interstate counterparts in Cairns for the Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative (PBRI) Symposium being hosted in the regional city.

Mr Reid said plant health was critical to the food supply chain, ensuring food security for Queenslanders and others around the world.

"With 80 per cent of what we eat coming from plants it is timely to celebrate International Plant Health Day and the role of biosecurity professionals, scientists and industries in ensuring plant health," he said.

Mr Reid said science and innovation was at the heart of protecting Queensland and Australia’s food production industries.

"Innovation like we are seeing with the 3D printed fruit fly traps is what will keep us at the cutting edge when it comes to protecting and growing our industries," Mr Reid said.

"Biosecurity is everybody’s responsibility and the threat of pests never goes away, so our scientists are vital to making sure we have all the best tools available to keep up the fight against biosecurity threats."

Held biannually, the Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative Symposium is the Initiative's signature event, gathering an extensive range of presenters from Australia and New Zealand to share the latest research and initiatives undertaken to protect plant production systems from biosecurity threats.

Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative Program Director, Dr Jo Luck, said the event highlighted the value of collaboration.

"PBRI members and partners have coordinated and co-invested $69.4 million in cross-industry research, development and extension projects to protect Australia’s plant industries," she said.

"The Symposium showcases these programs of work, drawing together a network of people ignited by aligned goals and the opportunity to collectively create impact for growers, that transcends our individual capabilities.

"Through the sharing of local and global knowledge, we’re able to achieve improved biosecurity, better coordinate research investment and minimise the impacts of biosecurity threats," said Dr Luck.

The Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative is a partnership between Australia’s seven plant Research and Development Corporations, and the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Learn more about PBRI at www.pbri.com.au.

ENDS

Media contact: DAF Media, media@daf.qld.gov.au