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Tuesday 7 MAY 2024: Plant Health Student Networking event 

Plenary 1, Cairns Convention Centre

4:30pm-6:00pm - Post graduate students working in plant health research are invited to meet other students, and professionals working in plant industries, biosecurity agencies and universities with an interest in biosecurity and plant health. Drinks and canapes provided.
 
CLICK HERE to confirm your attendance at this Networking Event
 

Wednesday 8 May 2024 - Thursday 9 May 2024: Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative Symposium

All sessions will be held at Cairns Convention Centre.

Click here to download a PDF copy of the program.

 

Click on the sessions below to view abstract and presenter biographies. 

 


Tuesday, May 7, 2024

4:30 PM - 6:00 PM Plant Health Student Networking Event
Pre-Conference Event - networking drinks and canapes
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM Plant Health Student Networking Event
Pre-Conference Event - networking drinks and canapes

4:30 PM - 6:00 PM Plant Health Student Networking Event
Pre-Conference Event - networking drinks and canapes

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM Registration and check-in
Symposium Opening Session
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM Opening Session
Introduction - Dr Jo Luck, Program Director, PBRI
Welcome to Country - Maria Minjil
Opening Address - Senator the Hon Murray Watt, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Minister for Emergency Management
About the Symposium - Jo Luck, Program Director PBRI
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM KEYNOTE PRESENTATION - Varroa - honey bee industry recovery
Danny le Feuvre, CEO Australian Honey Bee Industry Council and Director, AgriFutures)
SESSION 1: Early Warning and Risk
Chair: Robyn Dixon, Wine Australia
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM Indigenous Ranger Biosecurity Program - How Indigenous Rangers contribute to biosecurity in Northern Australian
Renae Todd, Director Indigenous Rangers & Business Management Section DAFF and Ranger Joyce Bohme (Womens’ Ranger Co-ordinator) Djelk Rangers, NT
10:15 AM - 10:25 AM Biosecurity Commons – Online, Open-Access & Sharable Biosecurity Risk Analytics at your finger-tips
Dr James Camac, Chief Investigator, Biosecurity, Ecology and Climate Change Impacts CEBRA
10:25 AM - 10:35 AM National Priority Plant Pest Preparedness
Dr Jo Lee, Assistant Director, Preparedness and Response, DAFF
10:35 AM - 10:45 AM
Questions with all presenters (Session 1)
10:45 AM - 11:15 AM International Day of Plant Health Morning Tea
Sponsored by Plant Health Australia
11:15 AM - 11:25 AM From Collaboration to Readiness: Australia's Preparedness for Xylella spp
Dr Toni Chapman, Senior Research Scientist, Plant Biosecurity Research and Diagnostics, DPI NSW
11:25 AM - 11:35 AM Developing risk-based approaches to support domestic and international trade
Jane Muller, Stakeholder Engagement, Agricultural Exports, Market Access & Digital Agriculture, CSIRO
11:35 AM - 11:45 AM Pre-emptive variety development for sugarcane
Jason Eglington, General Manager, Variety Development, SRA
11:45 AM - 11:55 AM Catalysing Australia’s Biosecurity initiative
Dr Andy Sheppard, Chief Research Scientist CSIRO, Co-Executive Director DAFF-CSIRO Catalysing Australia’s Biosecurity Initiative CSIRO and Richard Keane, Principal Director Biosecurity Innovation, Research and Education Branch, DAFF
11:55 AM - 12:05 PM
Questions with all presenters (Session 1.)
SESSION 2 - Diagnostics and Surveillance
Chair: Callum Fletcher, GRDC
12:05 PM - 12:15 PM National Grains Diagnostic and Surveillance Initiative (NGDSI)
Dr Will Cuddy, Manager, Plant Biosecurity Research and Diagnostics, DPI NSW
12:15 PM - 12:25 PM Post Entry Quarantine screening - practice change
Dr Candace Elliott, Acting Assistant Director, Plant Pathology and Botany Section, DAFF
12:25 PM - 12:35 PM Boosting diagnostics, standards, and data sharing to support surveillance
Dr Brendan Rodoni, Research Director – Microbial Sciences, Pests & Diseases, Agriculture Research Victoria
12:35 PM - 12:45 PM
Questions with all presenters (Session 2)
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM
Lunch (Wednesday)
1:45 PM - 1:55 PM Novel dual use sensors
Dr Nick Fitzgerald, Science, Technology & Innovation Lead – OCE STaR Shot Defence Science & Technology Group
1:55 PM - 2:05 PM Boosting Diagnostics: Invertebrates in sugarcane
Hank Xu, PhD Student, University of Southern Queensland
SESSION 3: Diagnostics and Surveillance
Chair: Susan Maas, CRDC
2:05 PM - 2:15 PM Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy – plant biosecurity initiatives
Dr Bernie Witwer and Dr Darren Peck Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy DAFF
2:15 PM - 2:25 PM Questions with all presenters (Session 3)
2:25 PM - 2:35 PM iMapPESTS 1.0 and next phase regional surveillance concept
Shakira Johnson, Biosecurity Coordinator for Farm Biosecurity, AUSVEG
2:35 PM - 2:45 PM 50 years of the APLC: locust surveillance, control and research
Heath McRae, Deputy Director, Australian Plague Locust Commission, DAFF
2:45 PM - 2:55 PM Forest Watch Australia - Progress and opportunities
Rohan Burgess, Surveillance Manger, Plant Health Australia
2:55 PM - 3:05 PM Multipest surveillance and grower education in the banana industry
Dr Rosie Godwin, R&D Manager, Australian Banana Growers’ Council
3:05 PM - 3:15 PM
Questions with all presenters (Session 3.)
3:15 PM - 3:40 PM
Afternoon tea (Wednesday)
SESSION 4: Capability Building
Chair: Stephen Mudge, Sugar Research Australia
3:40 PM - 3:50 PM Behavioural Economics & Biosecurity: Nudgeathon 2024
Dr Stephen Whyte, Senior Research Fellow, School of Economics & Finance Faculty of Business & Law and Deputy Director, Centre for Behavioural Economics, Society and Technology (BEST)
3:50 PM - 4:00 PM The Northern Australian People Capacity and Response Network (NAPCaRN)
Dr Anne Walters, Director of the Northern Australian People Capacity and Response Network (NAPCaRN) Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
4:00 PM - 4:10 PM ARC Training Centre in Plant Biosecurity
Professor Peter Solomon, Director, ARC Training Centre in Plant Biosecurity, ANU
4:10 PM - 4:15 PM
Questions with all presenters (Session 4)
4:15 PM - 4:25 PM Tackling myrtle rust outbreaks and uncovering rust fungi biology using dsRNA
Rebecca Degnan, Ritman Scholar, PhD Student, University of Queensland
4:25 PM - 4:30 PM Identification of thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) from sticky traps using short-read metabarcoding
Eyal Zeira, PhD Student, La Trobe University
4:30 PM - 4:45 PM The Plant Health TV Contest – ‘People’s choice’ voting
Dr Baldissera Giovani, Program Coordinator, Euphresco and EUPHRESCO III and Jo Luck, Program Director, PBRI
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM PBRI 2024 - Drinks and Poster Viewing
sponsored by Euphresco III
6:45 PM - 10:00 PM Symposium Dinner
Dinner address Dr Angus Carnegie, Senior Principal Research Scientist, Forest Science NSW DPI
Sponsored by CSIRO
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM Registration and check-in
Symposium Opening Session
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM Opening Session
Introduction - Dr Jo Luck, Program Director, PBRI
Welcome to Country - Maria Minjil
Opening Address - Senator the Hon Murray Watt, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Minister for Emergency Management
About the Symposium - Jo Luck, Program Director PBRI
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM KEYNOTE PRESENTATION - Varroa - honey bee industry recovery
Danny le Feuvre, CEO Australian Honey Bee Industry Council and Director, AgriFutures)
SESSION 1: Early Warning and Risk
Chair: Robyn Dixon, Wine Australia
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM Indigenous Ranger Biosecurity Program - How Indigenous Rangers contribute to biosecurity in Northern Australian
Renae Todd, Director Indigenous Rangers & Business Management Section DAFF and Ranger Joyce Bohme (Womens’ Ranger Co-ordinator) Djelk Rangers, NT
10:15 AM - 10:25 AM Biosecurity Commons – Online, Open-Access & Sharable Biosecurity Risk Analytics at your finger-tips
Dr James Camac, Chief Investigator, Biosecurity, Ecology and Climate Change Impacts CEBRA
10:25 AM - 10:35 AM National Priority Plant Pest Preparedness
Dr Jo Lee, Assistant Director, Preparedness and Response, DAFF
10:35 AM - 10:45 AM
Questions with all presenters (Session 1)
10:45 AM - 11:15 AM International Day of Plant Health Morning Tea
Sponsored by Plant Health Australia
11:15 AM - 11:25 AM From Collaboration to Readiness: Australia's Preparedness for Xylella spp
Dr Toni Chapman, Senior Research Scientist, Plant Biosecurity Research and Diagnostics, DPI NSW
11:25 AM - 11:35 AM Developing risk-based approaches to support domestic and international trade
Jane Muller, Stakeholder Engagement, Agricultural Exports, Market Access & Digital Agriculture, CSIRO
11:35 AM - 11:45 AM Pre-emptive variety development for sugarcane
Jason Eglington, General Manager, Variety Development, SRA
11:45 AM - 11:55 AM Catalysing Australia’s Biosecurity initiative
Dr Andy Sheppard, Chief Research Scientist CSIRO, Co-Executive Director DAFF-CSIRO Catalysing Australia’s Biosecurity Initiative CSIRO and Richard Keane, Principal Director Biosecurity Innovation, Research and Education Branch, DAFF
11:55 AM - 12:05 PM
Questions with all presenters (Session 1.)
SESSION 2 - Diagnostics and Surveillance
Chair: Callum Fletcher, GRDC
12:05 PM - 12:15 PM National Grains Diagnostic and Surveillance Initiative (NGDSI)
Dr Will Cuddy, Manager, Plant Biosecurity Research and Diagnostics, DPI NSW
12:15 PM - 12:25 PM Post Entry Quarantine screening - practice change
Dr Candace Elliott, Acting Assistant Director, Plant Pathology and Botany Section, DAFF
12:25 PM - 12:35 PM Boosting diagnostics, standards, and data sharing to support surveillance
Dr Brendan Rodoni, Research Director – Microbial Sciences, Pests & Diseases, Agriculture Research Victoria
12:35 PM - 12:45 PM
Questions with all presenters (Session 2)
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM
Lunch (Wednesday)
1:45 PM - 1:55 PM Novel dual use sensors
Dr Nick Fitzgerald, Science, Technology & Innovation Lead – OCE STaR Shot Defence Science & Technology Group
1:55 PM - 2:05 PM Boosting Diagnostics: Invertebrates in sugarcane
Hank Xu, PhD Student, University of Southern Queensland
SESSION 3: Diagnostics and Surveillance
Chair: Susan Maas, CRDC
2:05 PM - 2:15 PM Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy – plant biosecurity initiatives
Dr Bernie Witwer and Dr Darren Peck Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy DAFF
2:15 PM - 2:25 PM Questions with all presenters (Session 3)
2:25 PM - 2:35 PM iMapPESTS 1.0 and next phase regional surveillance concept
Shakira Johnson, Biosecurity Coordinator for Farm Biosecurity, AUSVEG
2:35 PM - 2:45 PM 50 years of the APLC: locust surveillance, control and research
Heath McRae, Deputy Director, Australian Plague Locust Commission, DAFF
2:45 PM - 2:55 PM Forest Watch Australia - Progress and opportunities
Rohan Burgess, Surveillance Manger, Plant Health Australia
2:55 PM - 3:05 PM Multipest surveillance and grower education in the banana industry
Dr Rosie Godwin, R&D Manager, Australian Banana Growers’ Council
3:05 PM - 3:15 PM
Questions with all presenters (Session 3.)
3:15 PM - 3:40 PM
Afternoon tea (Wednesday)
SESSION 4: Capability Building
Chair: Stephen Mudge, Sugar Research Australia
3:40 PM - 3:50 PM Behavioural Economics & Biosecurity: Nudgeathon 2024
Dr Stephen Whyte, Senior Research Fellow, School of Economics & Finance Faculty of Business & Law and Deputy Director, Centre for Behavioural Economics, Society and Technology (BEST)
3:50 PM - 4:00 PM The Northern Australian People Capacity and Response Network (NAPCaRN)
Dr Anne Walters, Director of the Northern Australian People Capacity and Response Network (NAPCaRN) Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
4:00 PM - 4:10 PM ARC Training Centre in Plant Biosecurity
Professor Peter Solomon, Director, ARC Training Centre in Plant Biosecurity, ANU
4:10 PM - 4:15 PM
Questions with all presenters (Session 4)
4:15 PM - 4:25 PM Tackling myrtle rust outbreaks and uncovering rust fungi biology using dsRNA
Rebecca Degnan, Ritman Scholar, PhD Student, University of Queensland
4:25 PM - 4:30 PM Identification of thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) from sticky traps using short-read metabarcoding
Eyal Zeira, PhD Student, La Trobe University
4:30 PM - 4:45 PM The Plant Health TV Contest – ‘People’s choice’ voting
Dr Baldissera Giovani, Program Coordinator, Euphresco and EUPHRESCO III and Jo Luck, Program Director, PBRI
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM PBRI 2024 - Drinks and Poster Viewing
sponsored by Euphresco III
6:45 PM - 10:00 PM Symposium Dinner
Dinner address Dr Angus Carnegie, Senior Principal Research Scientist, Forest Science NSW DPI
Sponsored by CSIRO

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM Registration and check-in
Symposium Opening Session
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM Opening Session
Introduction - Dr Jo Luck, Program Director, PBRI
Welcome to Country - Maria Minjil
Opening Address - Senator the Hon Murray Watt, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Minister for Emergency Management
About the Symposium - Jo Luck, Program Director PBRI
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM KEYNOTE PRESENTATION - Varroa - honey bee industry recovery
Danny le Feuvre, CEO Australian Honey Bee Industry Council and Director, AgriFutures)
SESSION 1: Early Warning and Risk
Chair: Robyn Dixon, Wine Australia
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM Indigenous Ranger Biosecurity Program - How Indigenous Rangers contribute to biosecurity in Northern Australian
Renae Todd, Director Indigenous Rangers & Business Management Section DAFF and Ranger Joyce Bohme (Womens’ Ranger Co-ordinator) Djelk Rangers, NT
10:15 AM - 10:25 AM Biosecurity Commons – Online, Open-Access & Sharable Biosecurity Risk Analytics at your finger-tips
Dr James Camac, Chief Investigator, Biosecurity, Ecology and Climate Change Impacts CEBRA
10:25 AM - 10:35 AM National Priority Plant Pest Preparedness
Dr Jo Lee, Assistant Director, Preparedness and Response, DAFF
10:35 AM - 10:45 AM
Questions with all presenters (Session 1)
10:45 AM - 11:15 AM International Day of Plant Health Morning Tea
Sponsored by Plant Health Australia
11:15 AM - 11:25 AM From Collaboration to Readiness: Australia's Preparedness for Xylella spp
Dr Toni Chapman, Senior Research Scientist, Plant Biosecurity Research and Diagnostics, DPI NSW
11:25 AM - 11:35 AM Developing risk-based approaches to support domestic and international trade
Jane Muller, Stakeholder Engagement, Agricultural Exports, Market Access & Digital Agriculture, CSIRO
11:35 AM - 11:45 AM Pre-emptive variety development for sugarcane
Jason Eglington, General Manager, Variety Development, SRA
11:45 AM - 11:55 AM Catalysing Australia’s Biosecurity initiative
Dr Andy Sheppard, Chief Research Scientist CSIRO, Co-Executive Director DAFF-CSIRO Catalysing Australia’s Biosecurity Initiative CSIRO and Richard Keane, Principal Director Biosecurity Innovation, Research and Education Branch, DAFF
11:55 AM - 12:05 PM
Questions with all presenters (Session 1.)
SESSION 2 - Diagnostics and Surveillance
Chair: Callum Fletcher, GRDC
12:05 PM - 12:15 PM National Grains Diagnostic and Surveillance Initiative (NGDSI)
Dr Will Cuddy, Manager, Plant Biosecurity Research and Diagnostics, DPI NSW
12:15 PM - 12:25 PM Post Entry Quarantine screening - practice change
Dr Candace Elliott, Acting Assistant Director, Plant Pathology and Botany Section, DAFF
12:25 PM - 12:35 PM Boosting diagnostics, standards, and data sharing to support surveillance
Dr Brendan Rodoni, Research Director – Microbial Sciences, Pests & Diseases, Agriculture Research Victoria
12:35 PM - 12:45 PM
Questions with all presenters (Session 2)
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM
Lunch (Wednesday)
1:45 PM - 1:55 PM Novel dual use sensors
Dr Nick Fitzgerald, Science, Technology & Innovation Lead – OCE STaR Shot Defence Science & Technology Group
1:55 PM - 2:05 PM Boosting Diagnostics: Invertebrates in sugarcane
Hank Xu, PhD Student, University of Southern Queensland
SESSION 3: Diagnostics and Surveillance
Chair: Susan Maas, CRDC
2:05 PM - 2:15 PM Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy – plant biosecurity initiatives
Dr Bernie Witwer and Dr Darren Peck Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy DAFF
2:15 PM - 2:25 PM Questions with all presenters (Session 3)
2:25 PM - 2:35 PM iMapPESTS 1.0 and next phase regional surveillance concept
Shakira Johnson, Biosecurity Coordinator for Farm Biosecurity, AUSVEG
2:35 PM - 2:45 PM 50 years of the APLC: locust surveillance, control and research
Heath McRae, Deputy Director, Australian Plague Locust Commission, DAFF
2:45 PM - 2:55 PM Forest Watch Australia - Progress and opportunities
Rohan Burgess, Surveillance Manger, Plant Health Australia
2:55 PM - 3:05 PM Multipest surveillance and grower education in the banana industry
Dr Rosie Godwin, R&D Manager, Australian Banana Growers’ Council
3:05 PM - 3:15 PM
Questions with all presenters (Session 3.)
3:15 PM - 3:40 PM
Afternoon tea (Wednesday)
SESSION 4: Capability Building
Chair: Stephen Mudge, Sugar Research Australia
3:40 PM - 3:50 PM Behavioural Economics & Biosecurity: Nudgeathon 2024
Dr Stephen Whyte, Senior Research Fellow, School of Economics & Finance Faculty of Business & Law and Deputy Director, Centre for Behavioural Economics, Society and Technology (BEST)
3:50 PM - 4:00 PM The Northern Australian People Capacity and Response Network (NAPCaRN)
Dr Anne Walters, Director of the Northern Australian People Capacity and Response Network (NAPCaRN) Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
4:00 PM - 4:10 PM ARC Training Centre in Plant Biosecurity
Professor Peter Solomon, Director, ARC Training Centre in Plant Biosecurity, ANU
4:10 PM - 4:15 PM
Questions with all presenters (Session 4)
4:15 PM - 4:25 PM Tackling myrtle rust outbreaks and uncovering rust fungi biology using dsRNA
Rebecca Degnan, Ritman Scholar, PhD Student, University of Queensland
4:25 PM - 4:30 PM Identification of thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) from sticky traps using short-read metabarcoding
Eyal Zeira, PhD Student, La Trobe University
4:30 PM - 4:45 PM The Plant Health TV Contest – ‘People’s choice’ voting
Dr Baldissera Giovani, Program Coordinator, Euphresco and EUPHRESCO III and Jo Luck, Program Director, PBRI
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM PBRI 2024 - Drinks and Poster Viewing
sponsored by Euphresco III
6:45 PM - 10:00 PM Symposium Dinner
Dinner address Dr Angus Carnegie, Senior Principal Research Scientist, Forest Science NSW DPI
Sponsored by CSIRO

Thursday, May 9, 2024

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Tea and coffee
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM KEYNOTE PRESENTATION - Biosecurity investments for Australian horticulture industry
Brett Fifield. CEO, Hort Innovation
SESSION 5 Industry perspective on Biosecurity
Chair: Dr Mila Bristow
9:30 AM - 10:10 AM Industry panel session – biosecurity - pest challenges and opportunities, an industry perspective
Chair: Mila Bristow (Hort Innovation)
10:10 AM - 10:40 AM
Morning tea (Thursday)
SESSION 6 - Trans-Tasman Biosecurity Research
Chair: Desi Ramoo, B3 New Zealand
10:40 AM - 10:50 AM Session 6 Overview
Dr Desi Ramoo, B3 NZ
10:50 AM - 11:00 AM B3 Maori Strategy
Alby Marsh, Co-director B3 NZ
11:00 AM - 11:10 AM Putative Austropuccinia psidii pathogenicity targets for control of myrtle rust
Dr Grant Smith, Plant and Food Research New Zealand
11:10 AM - 11:20 AM Assessing the risk of Xylella fastidiosa: Movement of spittlebugs between productive and natural areas in New Zealand
Jessica Vereijssen, Plant and Food Research / Better Border Biosecurity B3
11:20 AM - 11:30 AM B3 – Better , Border , Biosecurity Aotearoa New Zealand– Integrating Indigenous Perspectives in Biosecurity Initiatives
Waipaina Awarau-Morris, AgResearch, New Zealand
11:30 AM - 11:40 AM Pre-emptive biological control: a new tool to maximise preparedness against high-risk biosecurity threats
Dr Gonzalo Avila, Senior Scientist, Team Leader – Biological Control & Insect Rearing Plant and Food Research, New Zealand
11:40 AM - 11:45 AM
Questions with all presenters (Session 6)
SESSION 7: Pest Management
Chair: Ellen Buckle, AgriFutures
11:45 AM - 11:55 AM Regional pheromone analysis for FAW control
Vivian Mendez, Research Group Leader, Insect Behaviour and Reproduction, Macquarie University
11:55 AM - 12:05 PM RNAi based strategies for addressing biosecurity risks
Professor Neena Mitter, Director, Centre for Horticultural Science, Director, ARC Research Hub for Sustainable Crop Protection, QAAFI
12:05 PM - 12:15 PM Endemic insect pathogens as biopesticides for Fall Armyworm
Donna Chalmers, Entomologist, DAF
12:15 PM - 12:25 PM Toxicity effects of pesticides on beneficial organisms – Dispelling myths for a more sustainable use of chemicals in the grains industry
Dr Paul Umina, Entomologist and ecologist, University of Melbourne and cesar
12:25 PM - 12:35 PM Biological control of giant pine scale Marchalina hellenica (Hemiptera: Marchalinidae) in Australia
Dr Umar Lubanga, Entomologist, Agriculture Research Victoria
12:35 PM - 12:45 PM
Questions with all presenters (Session 7)
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM
Lunch (Thursday)
SESSION 8: Readiness and Recovery
Chair: Dr Greg Chandler, Hort Innovation
1:45 PM - 2:00 PM Secretary’s address
Adam Fennessy, PSM Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
2:00 PM - 2:10 PM Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer Response in Western Australia: A Case Study in Communications, Community Engagement and Social License
Dr Vincent Lanoiselet, Chief Plant Protection Officer, DPIRD WA
2:10 PM - 2:20 PM Phylloxera preparedness: improving preparedness for a phylloxera incursion in South Australia
Suzanne McLoughlin, CEO Vine Health
2:20 PM - 2:30 PM Managing impacts - early learnings for biosecurity from the response to Varroa destructor in Australia
Dr Chris Anderson, Deputy Chief Plant Protection Officer, NSW DPI
2:30 PM - 2:40 PM Adapting to Rising Risks: Strengthening Queensland's Plant Biosecurity System
Michael Reid, Chief Plant Protection Officer, DAF QLD
2:40 PM - 2:50 PM Big Veg – Vegetable industry biosecurity and business continuity strategy
Rosalie Daniel, Program Manager, AUSVEG
2:50 PM - 3:00 PM Dr Russell Warman, Research Fellow in Social Science, TIA – Research Institute UTAS
Russell Warman, UTAS
3:00 PM - 3:05 PM
Questions with all presenters (Session 8)
3:05 PM - 3:10 PM Announcement of the Plant Health TV Winner and People’s Choice Award
3:10 PM - 3:25 PM The 2024 Ritman Scholarship Awards
3:25 PM - 3:30 PM Symposium wrap-up
Dr Jo Luck, PBRI
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Tea and coffee
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM KEYNOTE PRESENTATION - Biosecurity investments for Australian horticulture industry
Brett Fifield. CEO, Hort Innovation
SESSION 5 Industry perspective on Biosecurity
Chair: Dr Mila Bristow
9:30 AM - 10:10 AM Industry panel session – biosecurity - pest challenges and opportunities, an industry perspective
Chair: Mila Bristow (Hort Innovation)
10:10 AM - 10:40 AM
Morning tea (Thursday)
SESSION 6 - Trans-Tasman Biosecurity Research
Chair: Desi Ramoo, B3 New Zealand
10:40 AM - 10:50 AM Session 6 Overview
Dr Desi Ramoo, B3 NZ
10:50 AM - 11:00 AM B3 Maori Strategy
Alby Marsh, Co-director B3 NZ
11:00 AM - 11:10 AM Putative Austropuccinia psidii pathogenicity targets for control of myrtle rust
Dr Grant Smith, Plant and Food Research New Zealand
11:10 AM - 11:20 AM Assessing the risk of Xylella fastidiosa: Movement of spittlebugs between productive and natural areas in New Zealand
Jessica Vereijssen, Plant and Food Research / Better Border Biosecurity B3
11:20 AM - 11:30 AM B3 – Better , Border , Biosecurity Aotearoa New Zealand– Integrating Indigenous Perspectives in Biosecurity Initiatives
Waipaina Awarau-Morris, AgResearch, New Zealand
11:30 AM - 11:40 AM Pre-emptive biological control: a new tool to maximise preparedness against high-risk biosecurity threats
Dr Gonzalo Avila, Senior Scientist, Team Leader – Biological Control & Insect Rearing Plant and Food Research, New Zealand
11:40 AM - 11:45 AM
Questions with all presenters (Session 6)
SESSION 7: Pest Management
Chair: Ellen Buckle, AgriFutures
11:45 AM - 11:55 AM Regional pheromone analysis for FAW control
Vivian Mendez, Research Group Leader, Insect Behaviour and Reproduction, Macquarie University
11:55 AM - 12:05 PM RNAi based strategies for addressing biosecurity risks
Professor Neena Mitter, Director, Centre for Horticultural Science, Director, ARC Research Hub for Sustainable Crop Protection, QAAFI
12:05 PM - 12:15 PM Endemic insect pathogens as biopesticides for Fall Armyworm
Donna Chalmers, Entomologist, DAF
12:15 PM - 12:25 PM Toxicity effects of pesticides on beneficial organisms – Dispelling myths for a more sustainable use of chemicals in the grains industry
Dr Paul Umina, Entomologist and ecologist, University of Melbourne and cesar
12:25 PM - 12:35 PM Biological control of giant pine scale Marchalina hellenica (Hemiptera: Marchalinidae) in Australia
Dr Umar Lubanga, Entomologist, Agriculture Research Victoria
12:35 PM - 12:45 PM
Questions with all presenters (Session 7)
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM
Lunch (Thursday)
SESSION 8: Readiness and Recovery
Chair: Dr Greg Chandler, Hort Innovation
1:45 PM - 2:00 PM Secretary’s address
Adam Fennessy, PSM Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
2:00 PM - 2:10 PM Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer Response in Western Australia: A Case Study in Communications, Community Engagement and Social License
Dr Vincent Lanoiselet, Chief Plant Protection Officer, DPIRD WA
2:10 PM - 2:20 PM Phylloxera preparedness: improving preparedness for a phylloxera incursion in South Australia
Suzanne McLoughlin, CEO Vine Health
2:20 PM - 2:30 PM Managing impacts - early learnings for biosecurity from the response to Varroa destructor in Australia
Dr Chris Anderson, Deputy Chief Plant Protection Officer, NSW DPI
2:30 PM - 2:40 PM Adapting to Rising Risks: Strengthening Queensland's Plant Biosecurity System
Michael Reid, Chief Plant Protection Officer, DAF QLD
2:40 PM - 2:50 PM Big Veg – Vegetable industry biosecurity and business continuity strategy
Rosalie Daniel, Program Manager, AUSVEG
2:50 PM - 3:00 PM Dr Russell Warman, Research Fellow in Social Science, TIA – Research Institute UTAS
Russell Warman, UTAS
3:00 PM - 3:05 PM
Questions with all presenters (Session 8)
3:05 PM - 3:10 PM Announcement of the Plant Health TV Winner and People’s Choice Award
3:10 PM - 3:25 PM The 2024 Ritman Scholarship Awards
3:25 PM - 3:30 PM Symposium wrap-up
Dr Jo Luck, PBRI

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Tea and coffee
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM KEYNOTE PRESENTATION - Biosecurity investments for Australian horticulture industry
Brett Fifield. CEO, Hort Innovation
SESSION 5 Industry perspective on Biosecurity
Chair: Dr Mila Bristow
9:30 AM - 10:10 AM Industry panel session – biosecurity - pest challenges and opportunities, an industry perspective
Chair: Mila Bristow (Hort Innovation)
10:10 AM - 10:40 AM
Morning tea (Thursday)
SESSION 6 - Trans-Tasman Biosecurity Research
Chair: Desi Ramoo, B3 New Zealand
10:40 AM - 10:50 AM Session 6 Overview
Dr Desi Ramoo, B3 NZ
10:50 AM - 11:00 AM B3 Maori Strategy
Alby Marsh, Co-director B3 NZ
11:00 AM - 11:10 AM Putative Austropuccinia psidii pathogenicity targets for control of myrtle rust
Dr Grant Smith, Plant and Food Research New Zealand
11:10 AM - 11:20 AM Assessing the risk of Xylella fastidiosa: Movement of spittlebugs between productive and natural areas in New Zealand
Jessica Vereijssen, Plant and Food Research / Better Border Biosecurity B3
11:20 AM - 11:30 AM B3 – Better , Border , Biosecurity Aotearoa New Zealand– Integrating Indigenous Perspectives in Biosecurity Initiatives
Waipaina Awarau-Morris, AgResearch, New Zealand
11:30 AM - 11:40 AM Pre-emptive biological control: a new tool to maximise preparedness against high-risk biosecurity threats
Dr Gonzalo Avila, Senior Scientist, Team Leader – Biological Control & Insect Rearing Plant and Food Research, New Zealand
11:40 AM - 11:45 AM
Questions with all presenters (Session 6)
SESSION 7: Pest Management
Chair: Ellen Buckle, AgriFutures
11:45 AM - 11:55 AM Regional pheromone analysis for FAW control
Vivian Mendez, Research Group Leader, Insect Behaviour and Reproduction, Macquarie University
11:55 AM - 12:05 PM RNAi based strategies for addressing biosecurity risks
Professor Neena Mitter, Director, Centre for Horticultural Science, Director, ARC Research Hub for Sustainable Crop Protection, QAAFI
12:05 PM - 12:15 PM Endemic insect pathogens as biopesticides for Fall Armyworm
Donna Chalmers, Entomologist, DAF
12:15 PM - 12:25 PM Toxicity effects of pesticides on beneficial organisms – Dispelling myths for a more sustainable use of chemicals in the grains industry
Dr Paul Umina, Entomologist and ecologist, University of Melbourne and cesar
12:25 PM - 12:35 PM Biological control of giant pine scale Marchalina hellenica (Hemiptera: Marchalinidae) in Australia
Dr Umar Lubanga, Entomologist, Agriculture Research Victoria
12:35 PM - 12:45 PM
Questions with all presenters (Session 7)
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM
Lunch (Thursday)
SESSION 8: Readiness and Recovery
Chair: Dr Greg Chandler, Hort Innovation
1:45 PM - 2:00 PM Secretary’s address
Adam Fennessy, PSM Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
2:00 PM - 2:10 PM Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer Response in Western Australia: A Case Study in Communications, Community Engagement and Social License
Dr Vincent Lanoiselet, Chief Plant Protection Officer, DPIRD WA
2:10 PM - 2:20 PM Phylloxera preparedness: improving preparedness for a phylloxera incursion in South Australia
Suzanne McLoughlin, CEO Vine Health
2:20 PM - 2:30 PM Managing impacts - early learnings for biosecurity from the response to Varroa destructor in Australia
Dr Chris Anderson, Deputy Chief Plant Protection Officer, NSW DPI
2:30 PM - 2:40 PM Adapting to Rising Risks: Strengthening Queensland's Plant Biosecurity System
Michael Reid, Chief Plant Protection Officer, DAF QLD
2:40 PM - 2:50 PM Big Veg – Vegetable industry biosecurity and business continuity strategy
Rosalie Daniel, Program Manager, AUSVEG
2:50 PM - 3:00 PM Dr Russell Warman, Research Fellow in Social Science, TIA – Research Institute UTAS
Russell Warman, UTAS
3:00 PM - 3:05 PM
Questions with all presenters (Session 8)
3:05 PM - 3:10 PM Announcement of the Plant Health TV Winner and People’s Choice Award
3:10 PM - 3:25 PM The 2024 Ritman Scholarship Awards
3:25 PM - 3:30 PM Symposium wrap-up
Dr Jo Luck, PBRI

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