The planthopper, spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula: SLF), is an emerging pest of agricultural, urban and environmental biosecurity concern, attacking over 70 plant species. It recently spread from its native range of China, Vietnam & India into South Korea, Japan, and the northeastern US and is considered a significant ecological and economic threat to ornamental plants, forests […]
Project Leader, Organisation Anne Sawyer, University of Queensland Status ACTIVE Background Objective 4.3 of the National Myrtle Rust Action Plan (MRAP) is to explore methods for resistance and control. Controls for agricultural pathogens e.g. resistant cultivars or fungicides, are inapplicable against myrtle rust in natural environments. RNA interference (RNAi) vaccines are an emerging crop protection […]
Project Leader, Organisation Tilly Davis, Buthculla Aboriginal Corporation Status COMPLETE Background Exotic pests threaten cultural and environmental biodiversity values unique to Australia. The recent detection and subsequent spread of the invasive myrtle rust pathogen, Austropuccinia psidii, has highlighted the threat and challenges associated with managing these pests. Several reviews have highlighted serious gaps relating to […]
Ten new projects have been approved for investment by the Foundation. The Board was delighted to receive lots of high quality proposals, and spent some time sifting through to get the best mix of investments. The ten approved projects were worth $284k in requests, an amount more than matched by the project partners. They included […]
Status COMPLETE Project Leader Dr Olivia Reynolds (CesarAustralia) Executive Summary Incursions of exotic pest species place pressure on biosecurity resources globally and measures to understand and prepare for priority exotic pests are a crucial aspect of any biosecurity system. Global costs associated with incursions of exotic pest species have been estimated to have reached at […]
The Foundation’s winter newsletter is out now and can be downloaded here… Can our current reliance on science become the new norm? Call for proposals Myrtle Rust National Action Plan finalised and with Minister Ley Blood disease in bananas – reducing risk to Australia Remote sensing and machine learning for improved biosecurity in forest and […]
The Foundation is calling for new investment proposals, with applications due 27 August Investments proposals must have a very specific and defined purpose, clear benefits to plant biosecurity in Australia, and be consistent with the Foundation’s Vision and Mission (apbsf.org.au). Proposals are welcome from any organization or individual. This 2020 funding round will focus on […]
Recently, the Foundation supported a workshop “Tracking and forecasting of pest and pathogen movements”, led by CSIRO’s Hazel Parry. During the workshop, participants learned about novel research and networked with other researchers, gained insights on the integration of technologies and identified current applications for this research and possible collaborations. Workshop participants have since developed collaborative […]
The Foundation is delighted to welcome the Indonesian Biosecurity Foundation as a new Member. The IBF was created in 2018, building off the substantial co-investment in biosecurity over many years between various Indonesian partners, the PBCRC and CRCNPB. Foundation Chair, Professor John Lovett, said “we are delighted with the many years of collaboration on biosecurity, […]
Dr Angus Carnegie from NSW DPI will lead a new project that will assess the feasibility of remote sensing technologies and machine learning applications for detection and mapping of urban trees to assist in forest biosecurity surveillance. The Foundation is delighted to co-invest with Foundation Member NSW DPI, the Greater Sydney Local Land Service and […]