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Managing Risk: Science and Technology in Plant Protection

Dr. Kim Ritman, Chief Scientist and Chief Plant Protection Officer, oversees and advocates for science in risk management. With over 900 scientific staff, the department utilizes various scientific disciplines such as zoology, microbiology, and geospatial analysis. This article explores the growing passenger and trade volumes into Australia and the use of science and technology to manage the associated risks.

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Managing Risk: Science and Technology in Plant Protection

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  1. Using science to manage risk Kim Ritman / Chief Scientist – Chief Plant Protection Officer 20th September 2018

  2. Dr Kim Ritman – Agricultural Chief Scientist and Chief Plant Protection Officer • Oversight, co-ordination and advocacy for science across the department through the implementation of the department’s science strategy and action plan • Over 900 staff with scientific qualifications working across the risk management continuum • Capability in zoology, botany, quantitative analytics, microbiology, geospatial analysis, food and nutrition science, environmental science, and veterinary science. • Primary representative of, and an advisor to, the Australian Government on all matters relating to the management, maintenance and improvement of Australia’s plant health status and the systems that support it

  3. Growing passenger and trade volumes into Australia Australian context • The number of plant imports into Australia has increased significantly over last 10+ years • In the last 12 months, plants imported include:- • 100+ million ornamental bulbs (in 1988, ~250,000 bulbs) • 2+ million tissue culture plantlets (in 1999, < 12,000 T.C. plantlets) • 25,000+ low/medium risk ornamental plants • 2,500 high risk cvs & seed lines • Volumes significantly increasing eg. 40’ containers of Yucca canes

  4. Science and technology in managing risk Examples • International context • Biosecurity Import Risk Assessments • Next Generation Sequencing in post-entry quarantine • Surveillance

  5. International context • Scientific rule based approaches are used to formulate biosecurity standards to facilitate international trade • The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) are the platforms for international cooperation in controlling plant and animal pests and diseases • For example, the IPPC Standards Committee is a subsidiary body governing the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM). This group prepares International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM’s) based on rigorous scientific input from technical panels and expert working groups.

  6. Biosecurity Import Risk Assessments Very Low Potential to SPREAD around Australia Negligible CONSEQUENCES (HARM) to Australia, control, environment, industries etc High Moderate ENTRY (import&distribution) into Australia Low Probability (Likelihood) of Pest Reproduce and ESTABLISH in Australia ENTRY, ESTABLISHMENT and SPREAD

  7. Next Generation Sequencing in post-entry quarantine Plant response to virus infection • Benefits: • More cost effective => use one test to detect all viruses costing hundreds rather than thousands of dollars • Potential to reduce PEQ time from years to 6-12 months thereby increasing competiveness and opening up market opportunities

  8. Surveillance Onshore National Plant Health Surveillance Program • States and Territories Industry based surveillance • Forest, Citrus, Bee pest surveillance External Territories Surveillance Program • Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling Islands), Norfolk Island Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy • Broome in Western Australia to Cairns in Queensland, including Torres Strait. Border National Border Surveillance Program • First points of entry and Approved Arrangements Offshore International Plant Health Surveillance Program • Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands

  9. PBRI and CEBRA • The Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative (PBRI) is a new initiative to promote cross sectoral research and collaboration • Improved efficiencies in Plant Biosecurity RD&E investment and delivery • A united Plant Biosecurity RD&E system, bringing together 7 plant based RDC’s, plant industries and Government on determining research priorities for investment • National coordination of Plant Biosecurity RD&E • Stronger collaboration between government and industry on coordinated Plant Biosecurity RD&E • The Centre for Excellence in Biosecurity Risk Analysis based at the University of Melbourne is an enduring research partner assisting Government to remain at the forefront of practical biosecurity risk analysis by the provision of collaborative, relevant and practical research outcomes

  10. Strengthening innovation and adopting new technology into the future • Maintaining capacity and capability • Sensors – visual, volatiles • Advanced analytics • Robotics and drones • Machine learning

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