The GRDC is investing an extra $3.5 million in biosecurity to protect grain growers from exotic plant pests
The Grains Research and Development Corporation and Plant Health Australia have signed a joint $3.5 million memorandum of understanding to bolster the Grains Industry Biosecurity Plan 2023-28.
The additional investment will support the implementation of the national biosecurity plan, which was announced in August last year to strengthen biosecurity protections and help safeguard Australia’s $32 billion grains industry.
Developed in collaboration with industry leaders and biosecurity experts, the plan identifies more than 1,300 different exotic plant pests and disease threats that could impact the Australian grains industry.
It also details several programs and proactive measures required to protect growers, industry and the economy.
GRDC managing director Nigel Hart says the $3.5m MOU would allow critical measures to be implemented.
“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,” he says.
“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.”
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 the GRDC captures and learns from the latest international literature on 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.