Wine Australia is involved in a new cross-sectoral biosecurity project to improve plant pest management through early detection.
The project, called ‘Improving Plant Pest Management through Cross Industry Development of Smart Sensors, Diagnostics and Forecasting’, is being led by Horticulture Innovation Australia, with seven plant Research and Development Corporations and a number of other agencies involved.
The project is expected to provide benefits to regions and producers involved in the production of grains, horticultural products, wine grapes, cotton, sugar, forestry products and emerging products.
It will involve placing temporary plant surveillance equipment in various locations around Australia, to trap problematic regional crop pests. The initial focus is on trapping established pests and then the project will consider pests not yet established in Australia.
Expected outcomes of the project are an improved understanding of current pest distribution and strategies for early detection.
To have your say about the pests and diseases of concern to you and to help determine the most suitable locations for the surveillance traps, please click on the link below and complete the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KPYBG23.
Vinehealth will keep you informed with project updates as the work progresses.