Natural dispersal as a biosecurity risk - are we prepared?

biosecurity built on science

Natural dispersal as a biosecurity risk - are we prepared?

Alan Yen, Kyla Finlay, John Weiss (DEDJTR Vic), Alison Saunders (PHA), Alan Wain (BOM)

& James Walker (DOA) DEDJTR Victoria

Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre


What is the problem?Long distance natural (wind-assisted) dispersal of

exotic pests and pathogens into Australia is a very real and underestimated biosecurity risk


What is the problem?

H

Wet season northerlies

LL

Blocking High

High pressure ridge Prevailing winds →


What are we doing about it?Review of natural dispersal wind patterns – trajectory analysis, synoptic charts, collaboration with BOM

Monthly % of winds from Indonesia that crossed the Aust mainland 1994 -1998

D&E Jan 62%

C Dec 55%


What are we doing about it?

Analysis of Industry Biosecurity Plans Identify high priority pests and pathogens for each industry that

may enter Australia on wind currentsAwareness of long distance dispersal Recognition that long distance natural dispersal is a threat but is

only given nominal consideration Awareness varies extensively between horticultural industries


What are we doing about it?

Review of Trapping Techniques What is being done ? What traps are used? What is the most useful natural dispersal trap / surveillance

strategy for a specific pathway / pest / location and habitat? Field experiments


How will this research be delivered?

Field days, training, workshops and seminars with industry and growers

Publications / guidelines outlining more effective surveillance design and strategies for naturally dispersed pests eg “risk maps”

Scientific publications – eg improved surveillance design

Collaboration with PHA to improve IBPs


Who will benefit from this research?

Strategic (PHA, SNPHS, peak industry bodies, fed and state biosecurity agencies) better informed industry and biosecurity plans Improved strategic capability through increased

awareness of natural dispersal pathways

Operational (Fed and state biosecurity agencies eg NAQS) better surveillance strategies and protocols

Growers more targeted surveillance strategies timely response to incursions


Benefit for our horticultural industries

New and improved targeted and timely surveillance protocols increase the chance of early detection better use of limited resources

Improved industry biosecurity plans leading to better preparedness, better pest risk assessment and improved market access


End-User Advocate’s Perspective

Alison Saunders – PHA

“This project will certainly better inform biosecurity planning and surveillance for our industries’ high priority pests that have wind dispersal as a significant pathway”.

”I also believe it may be possible to establish some general rules or models that can assist us in estimating the significance of the wind dispersal pathways for the myriad of the unknown pests we assess in biosecurity planning processes”.

“Our pest risk assessments are always only as good as the scientific information that sits behind them, so this project is definitely a step forward”.

“On the trap – I can’t wait to see how this clever piece of engineering works out in the field, particularly in our more remote locations.”


Future

Processing bulk samples using amplicon sequencing for

rapid DNA identification as a method for rapid species

identification


Thank youFor more information, please email [email protected]

PBCRC is established and supported under the Australian Government Cooperative Research Centres Programme

Alison SaundersNational Manager Horticulture, PHA

Alan Yen – Project Leader, Entomologist Kyla Finlay - Research Entomologist John Weiss – Ecologist, Modeller Mark Blackett – Entomologist, Diagnostics

James Walker Plant Biosecurity Program Manager NAQS

Alan WainMeteorologist

Lionel HillEntomologist Les Zeller

Engineer

mailto:[email protected]

Science

Natural dispersal as a biosecurity risk - are we prepared?