May 20, 2025 | 00:35 GMT +7

  • Click to copy
Tuesday- 17:51, 27/02/2024

GRDC leads initiative to bolster grain biosecurity

(VAN) The Grains Research and Development Corp. (GRDC), in partnership with five state government departments...
Photo: ANTON - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Photo: ANTON - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

The Grains Research and Development Corp. (GRDC), in partnership with five state government departments, on Feb. 26 announced a $42.7 million national security initiative that will “transform the effectiveness and responsiveness of Australia’s grains biosecurity system.”

The National Grains Diagnostic and Surveillance Initiative (NGDSI) is a co-investment between the GRDC and the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI), and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QDAF).

John Woods, chairman of the GRDC, said the six-year initiative will use state-of-the-art technology and processes to improve Australia’s ability to rapidly detect and accurately diagnose exotic pests and plant diseases, allowing identification to happen “near the paddock” rather than in centralized laboratories. It also will support the development of more than 20 biosecurity specialists across Australia, modernize current surveillance techniques and utilize global intelligence to forecast future pest and disease risks to the nation’s grains industry.

“This initiative is one of the most important investments GRDC will make on behalf of Australian grain growers and is the result of two years of collaborative work with our partners,” Woods said. “It is powerful in the sense it has brought together the nation’s primary grain growing states in a united effort to reduce the very real risk that exotic pests and diseases pose to agriculture.”

The potential cost to growers of an incursion in terms of crop damage, control costs and trade impact is estimated at $100 million annually. This is why GRDC has invested $20 million of growers’ money over the next six years, matched by state department investment, to transform Australia’s grains biosecurity system.

“Timeliness of detection and response are critical and can be the difference between cost-effective control or the devastation of an industry,” he said. “We need to equip growers — and other key people — with the tools for fast, accurate diagnostics to enable timely management decisions that reduce the impact of these threats to the grains industry.”

Woods said the industry faced increased biosecurity risks from a range of factors, including more frequent international movement in trade and people, increasing chemical resistance, a decrease in the number of technical specialists and increasing input costs.

“This important national initiative will link with new and established pest surveillance for faster detection, which will allow more responsive eradication or management plans to be put in place,” Woods said.

HD

(WG)

Climate crisis threatens banana, world’s most popular fruit, research shows

Climate crisis threatens banana, world’s most popular fruit, research shows

(VAN) Fourth most important food crop in peril as Latin America and Caribbean suffer from slow-onset climate disaster.

Early nutrition research in poultry is speeding up

Early nutrition research in poultry is speeding up

(VAN) Shifting market dynamics and the noise around new legislation has propelled Trouw Nutrition’s research around early life nutrition in poultry. Today, it continues to be a key area of research.

Fears among India’s farmers rise over US food imports crossing ‘red line’

Fears among India’s farmers rise over US food imports crossing ‘red line’

(VAN) India is concerned about its food security and the livelihoods of its farmers if more US food imports are allowed.

FAO participates in ADB annual meeting, strengthens cooperation in key agricultural areas

FAO participates in ADB annual meeting, strengthens cooperation in key agricultural areas

(VAN) FAO's Director-General emphasises the need to work together to transform agrifood systems.

FAO warns: Enhanced awareness and action needed amid foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in Europe and the Near East

FAO warns: Enhanced awareness and action needed amid foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in Europe and the Near East

(VAN) Europe is facing its worst outbreak of foot-and-mouth since the start of the century.

Young talents need nurturing to drive rural vitalization

Young talents need nurturing to drive rural vitalization

(VAN) The central authorities, in early April, released a 10-year plan for rural vitalization.

Viterra carbon program achieves soy landmark

Viterra carbon program achieves soy landmark

(VAN) Viterra marked a significant milestone in its carbon measurement program in Argentina, called Ígaris, reaching 1 million soybean hectares measured.

Read more