Edition 2

25 January 2012

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Asian honey bee scientific advisory group in Cairns

The scientific advisory group (SAG) for the Asian honey bee Transition to Management program travelled to Cairns on 18 and 19 January 2012 to see firsthand the bees in and around the city.

Officers from DEEDI gave SAG members a briefing on the incursion and then a formal meeting was held to discuss project activities for the program.  Recommendations from the meeting were provided to the Management Committee for consideration.

For more information contact Sam Malfroy

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Inspecting Delta traps for Cocoa pod borer

PHA staff and DEEDI officers also visited Cocoa pod borer incursion sites around Mossman, North Queensland last week.  This incursion is being managed under the EPPRD.

The field trip included a visit to the first plantation where Cocoa pod borer was first detected, and neighbouring plantations and rambutan orchards were visited to inspect the Delta traps set as part of the ongoing surveillance program for the pest. 

For more information contact Sam Malfroy.

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Position vacant at PHA

PHA is seeking applicants for the position of General Manager, Partnerships. 

PHA has a genuine commitment to Member engagement and has an opportunity for an enthusiastic communicator and networker to join the Executive team.

As General Manager, Partnerships it is expected that you will have previous experience in communication, extension, strategy development and relationship and business management.

For more details go to the PHA website.

Applications close 10 February 2012.

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Public consultation on chemicals of security concern

In February 2012, the Attorney-General’s Department (AGD) will call for public submissions on a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) that analyses four options for reducing the security risks posed by a number of chemicals that can be used to make homemade explosives.
 
AGD is particularly interested in feedback from businesses that import, manufacture, distribute, transport, handle or use products containing the chemicals. AGD expects the RIS to be available for comment from 3 February to 30 March 2012.

For further information on the RIS, including the list of precursor chemicals and details on how to make a submission, please refer to the AGD Chemical Security program website. You can also call AGD on (02) 6141 2925 or (02) 6141 3012.

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Draft Phytosanitary International Standards up for comment

There are a number of draft International Standards on Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) out for consultation.
They are:

• Attachment 1: Draft ISPM Integrated measures for plants for planting in international trade (2005-002)
• Attachment 2: Draft ISPM Systems approach for pest risk management of fruit flies (Tephritidae) (2004-022)
• Attachment 3: Draft revision of Supplement 1 to ISPM 5. Glossary of phytosanitary terms: Guidelines on the interpretation and application of the concepts of “Official control” and “Not widely distributed” (2005-008).
• Attachment 4: Amendments to ISPM 5. Glossary of phytosanitary terms (1991-001) addition, revision and deletion of terms/definitions

    Phytosanitary treatments

• Attachment 3: Cold treatment for Bactrocera tryon on Citrus saneness (2007-206E)
• Attachment 4: Cold treatment for Bactrocera tryon on Citrus reticulata x C. saneness (2007-206F)
• Attachment 5: Cold treatment for Ceratitis capitata on Citrus paradisi (2007-210)
• Attachment 6: Cold treatment for Ceratitis capitata on Citrus reticulata cultivars and hybrids (2007-212)

Additionally, two Diagnostic protocols are included:

• Attachment 1: Diagnostic protocol for Plum pox virus (2004-007)
• Attachment 2: Diagnostic protocols for Trogoderma granarium (2004-006)

The draft standards are available here. 

The standards will be adopted without further consideration unless there is a formal objection to the technical aspects of the draft.

If you have such a concern please advise Julia Rymer at the Office of the Chief Plant Protection Officer by 20 February 2012 at the latest, with an explanation for the proposed change or concern.

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Australian Year of the Farmer photo competition

Fairfax Media and Elders have launched the official Australian Year of the Farmer photo competition, with a grand prize of $10,000 worth of camera equipment awarded for the winning photo.

The competition opened on 1 January 2012, and will run for nine months until 30 September 2012, so there’s plenty of time to get your entries in.

Monthly winners in each state and territory in six distinct categories will be selected by a panel of photo journalists. An overall monthly winner will get a voucher for $500 worth of camera equipment.

There are also up to 48 $50 vouchers supplied by Cellarmaster Wines, WISH and others every month – a total of 432 prizes over the 9 months!

The categories are:

• Farming people at work and play
• Farm animals
• The things we grow and process
• Farming landscapes
• Fun and funky in the country
• Country and city links.

Overall winners will be exhibited at the Australian Year of the Farmer Expo at the end of 2012.

Photographers can upload their photos (once each day) via the competition website. You can also view the growing photo gallery and give them your own rating.

Animal Health Australia and Plant Health Australia are Proud Supporters of the Australian Year of the Farmer.

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EPPRD training in Berri and Mildura

Last week Dr Stephen Dibley, PHA’s Program Manager, Training and Biosecurity Preparedness, provided training on roles and responsibilities of EPPRD signatories in South Australia and Victoria.

In Berri, Stephen met with about 15 attendees from the Plant Improvement Committee and Production Committee of the Almond Board of Australia.  In Mildura, attendees were from Dried Fruits Australia, Australian Table Grape Association, Winegrape Growers Australia and the Murray Valley Citrus Board.

The industry representatives had the chance to discuss with Stephen the roles they would play in the event of an Emergency Plant Pest incursion and together, devised ways to improve their biosecurity preparedness.

Thanks to these industries for hosting the training.
 
In most cases PHA delivers EPPRD training without cost. Other industries who would like to boost their Emergency Plant Pest response capacity in this way should contact Stephen.

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