Chapter 8 Plant biosecurity RD&E Plant biosecurity research, development and extension Understanding the biology of plant pests, the hosts that are susceptible to them, their effects on production and methods of control are fundamental to an effective plant biosecurity system. Plant biosecurity research, development and extension (RD&E) develops this understanding and how it can be applied to minimise the negative impacts from plant pests. Industry and government often combine resources to invest in plant biosecurity RD&E. The research on pests and how to manage them is undertaken by research institutions across Australia, including PLANT BIOSECURITY RD&E BIOSECURITY PLANT CSIRO, the Australian Government, state and territory agencies as well as universities, plant industries, Plant Health Australia (PHA), botanic gardens and private organisations. The science underpinning Australia’s plant biosecurity system takes many forms. It covers the topics of pest management, crop improvement, crop protection, risk analysis, data management, CHAPTER 8: 8: CHAPTER surveillance, diagnostics, protecting the natural environment, and the basic biology of pests and crops. It also involves the full range of crops grown in Australia as well as pollinators. The pests investigated include bacteria, fungi, nematodes and viruses, along with the diseases they cause, as well as weeds, insects and other invertebrates, such as mites. The 2020 data provides an overview of national plant, weed and pollinator biosecurity RD&E, with a summary of where it was carried out, the size, the topic, pest and crop types.50 Surveillance programs that include some research or extension activities are also included, as are some training and awareness programs. Biosecurity Coordinator Callum Fletcher presenting on on-farm biosecurity and exotic pests, using tomato potato psyllid as a case study, at the 2020 NT Farmers workshop in Darwin, NT. Image courtesy of Madeleine Quirk, AUSVEG 50 Every year, the methods used to collect data for this chapter improve incrementally. While every effort is made to secure accurate data for inclusion in Table 60 on page 230, we acknowledge that it is not complete. 216 National Plant Biosecurity RD&E Strategy Australian Government agencies and statutory authorities The National Plant Biosecurity RD&E Strategy provides an overarching framework to guide and strengthen cross-sectoral biosecurity RD&E for Australia’s plant industries and those dependent on them. The Australian Government currently contributes to a variety of plant biosecurity related RD&E activities. This occurs predominantly through the Department of Agriculture, Water The strategy’s objective is to enable the effective management of economic, environmental and the Environment (DAWE), but also through the Department of Industry, Innovation and and social risks posed by established pests as well as those that may enter, emerge, Science, the Department of Education, the Department of the Environment and Energy, and establish or spread within Australia. the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Developed in 2013 by PHA in collaboration with stakeholders around Australia, the strategy AUSTRALIAN CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL sits under the National Primary Industries RD&E Framework. The framework is overseen by RESEARCH the Agriculture Senior Officials’ Committee (AGSOC) Research and Innovation Committee RD&E BIOSECURITY PLANT whose goal is to implement cross-jurisdictional cooperative and coordinated approaches to aciar.gov.au matters of national interest such as plant biosecurity research. Through international agricultural research partnerships, the Australian Centre for The National Plant Biosecurity RD&E Strategy Implementation Committee, which reports to International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) commissions research to achieve more CHAPTER 8: 8: CHAPTER the AGSOC Research and Innovation Committee, is chaired and supported by PHA to drive productive and sustainable agricultural systems for the joint benefit of developing countries implementation of the strategy. and Australia. By focusing on fields where Australia has special research competence, the research has positioned ACIAR as a trusted science partner and has resulted in enduring The implementation committee includes representatives from the Australian Government, collaborations. state governments, PHA, the Council of Rural Research and Development Corporations, Hort Innovation, Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), Wine Australia, ACIAR’s biosecurity projects adopt various approaches and are spread across several CSIRO and the Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative. program areas, including horticulture, agricultural systems, crop improvement and management, bee health and forestry. This research provides a unique opportunity to learn The committee is funded by Hort Innovation (lead coordinator role across the Research and about the biology and management of exotic pests and diseases, preparing for potential Development Corporations), the Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (on exotic incursions, and to develop and share best practice in biosecurity management. behalf of the state and territory governments), Cotton Research and Development Corporation, Dairy Australia, GRDC, Sugar Research Australia, AgriFutures Australia, Wine Building biosecurity science capacity in our neighbouring countries contributes to earlier Australia and Forest and Wood Products Australia. knowledge of the spread of pests and diseases and contributes to Australia’s preparedness for incursions and pre-border security. Research projects build capacity through Plant Health Clinics and expert mentoring, and the Pacific Plant Biosecurity Partnership offers online learning modules. ACIAR’s initiation of a south-east Asian forest biosecurity network is reducing threats to species such as Acacia and Eucalyptus growing in Australia and across the region. A memorandum of understanding signed in 2020 with the Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative will encourage further cross-sectoral activities. 217 AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH COUNCIL arc.gov.au The Australian Research Council (ARC) is a Commonwealth entity and advises the Australian Australia’s Biosecurity Future: Unlocking the Government on research matters, administers the National Competitive Grants Program next decade of resilience (a significant component of Australia's investment in research and development) and has responsibility for Excellence in Research for Australia. In November 2020, CSIRO released the report Australia’s Biosecurity Future: Unlocking the Next Decade of Resilience. The report produced in partnership The ARC’s purpose is to grow knowledge and innovation for the benefit of the Australian with Animal Health Australia, PHA and the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions community through funding the highest quality research, assessing the quality, engagement is an update on the 2014 version. and impact of research, and providing advice on research matters. The report was developed collaboratively through interviews and workshops In seeking to achieve its purpose, the ARC supports the highest-quality fundamental and PLANT BIOSECURITY RD&E BIOSECURITY PLANT with 26 organisations across the biosecurity system including the Australian applied research and research training through a multi-disciplinary national competition. Government, state governments, research, industry, and non-government Clinical and other medical research is primarily supported by the National Health and Medical organisations. It acknowledges the growing biosecurity risks with links to Research Council. In addition, the ARC encourages partnerships between researchers and increasing trade and travel, outlines a transformational vision for a resilient industry, government, community organisations and the international community. CHAPTER 8: 8: CHAPTER biosecurity system in 2030 and provides recommendations under three key themes: system connectivity, shared responsibility, and science and technology. The outcomes of ARC-funded research deliver cultural, economic, social and environmental benefits to all Australians. The report is available from csiro.au/en/Do-business/Futures/Reports/Health/ Biosecurity-Futures Researchers in the lab of the Plant Innovation Centre at the Post-Entry Quarantine facility at Mickleham in VIC. Image courtesy of Mark Whattam, Plant Innovation Centre 218 COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION csiro.au/research As Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO solves the greatest challenges through Improving border diagnostics and treatment options innovative science and technology, in collaboration with industry, governments and The team from the Plant Innovation Centre at the Post-Entry Quarantine facility communities. CSIRO feeds into the plant biosecurity system via the Health and Biosecurity (PIC@PEQ), have partnered with key research and industry collaborators to further and Agriculture and Food business units, and the national research collections. build diagnostic capability and assess emerging treatments to better manage biosecurity risks. The Health and Biosecurity unit delivers research-based solutions to manage the impacts of invasive pests, weeds and diseases. It also assesses the risks they pose, prioritises the The team is working with the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries pathways of entry and provides new technologies for surveillance and early response (QDAF) to assess the Oxford nanopore sequencing