Australian expertise helps shape Asia-Pacific biosecurity

Australian biosecurity experts are helping to lift regional biosecurity capability through the delivery of a major workshop hosted by Indonesia for the Asia Pacific Plant Protection Commission (APPPC) Secretariat.

The workshop, which runs from 22-26 May in Bali, is the final in a series of six delivered by Australia under the APPPC workplan. Led by departmental and state experts, it is designed to strengthen regional surveillance capabilities.

This capability is central to the ability of participating countries to establish and maintain pest free areas, places of production and production sites in accordance with international and regional standards.

It will be attended by approximately 30 participants from 15 countries across both the Asia and the Pacific regions and will feature case studies from Australia and Indonesia as well as other APPPC member countries.

This workshop completes the seven-year project delivering a series of annual surveillance workshop which have enabled Australia to provide practical help for improving biosecurity outcomes and share its expertise in plant health surveillance.

“Australia has a lot of knowledge and experience when it comes to pest free areas and plant health surveillance, and we are happy to be able to share it with our region and collaborate with regional counterparts at these workshops,” said Australia’s Chief Plant Protection Officer, Dr Gabrielle Vivian-Smith.

“This workshop is the final one in a series that has been very well received over the last seven years. We are grateful to Indonesia for hosting and the APPPC Secretariat for their collaboration on this project.

“Partnering with international bodies to strengthen regional and global biosecurity is an important way we can help protect Australia from exotic plant pests and diseases and highlight the strengths of our biosecurity system.

“We are committed to partnering with our Asia-Pacific neighbours in a way that enhances trade and protects the environment, natural resources and agricultural industries for us all.”

Fast Facts

• The Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission consists of representatives of 25 member countries including: Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Fiji, France, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Samoa (Western), Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Viet Nam.