The Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis (CEBRA) has partnered with AUSVEG to use Biosecurity Commons for mapping high risk pathways for priority pests of the vegetable industry.
AUSVEG is the peak industry body for Australia’s vegetable, onion and potato growers and the partnership forms part of its ‘Vegetable industry biosecurity and business continuity strategy’, funded by Hort Innovation from the vegetable levy fund.
The project will provide an adaptable, flexible approach to prepare for the arrival of high-priority exotic pests and support monitoring and management of newly establishing pests .
The strategy will focus on developing national risk maps, spread models and surveillance designs for priority vegetable pests identified by industry.
A direct outcome of this work is to produce transparent and nationally consistent decision support tools to inform pest/disease freedom and where to direct resources for targeted surveillance programs.
Biosecurity Commons, which is based at CEBRA, will play a vital role in helping to shape this strategy by developing nationally consistent and fit-for-purpose risk analytics for the vegetable industry that can be leveraged by all plant industries.
Zarmeen Hassaan, National Manager – Biosecurity and Extension, said: “It is essential that our industry has the tools, knowledge and infrastructure at hand to respond quickly when a new pest that may impact on vegetable production arrives in Australia, and that we can support a risk-based return to trade for vegetable farming businesses.”
Dr James Camac, Project Manager at Biosecurity Commons, said: “We are very pleased to be working with AUSVEG on this important project and we look forward to showing how the powerful analytics tools on Biosecurity Commons can create significant impact in the vegetable industry.”
Hamish Holewa, Director, Planet Research Data Commons at ARDC (a major partner of Biosecurity Commons), said: “This is an exciting partnership that and showcases the power of innovative digital infrastructure, such as Biosecurity Commons, in advancing research translation and impact through linking research to industry and government.”
Biosecurity Commons is a joint initiative of the Australian and Queensland Government, the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC) and CeBRA, Griffith University, EcoCommons and the Atlas of Living Australia. It is part of the ARDC’s Planet Research Data Commons.
If you are interested in working with Biosecurity Commons, please get in touch.
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Notes to editors:
The Vegetable Industry Biosecurity and Business Continuity Strategy (VG22004) has been funded by Hort Innovation using the Vegetable Industry research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not for profit research and development corporation for Australian Horticulture. The program is led by AUSVEG and partners with CEBRA, Plant Health Australia, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QDAF), Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), Onside and RM Consulting Group.
