FASTA – the Fresh and Secure Trade Alliance

What is FASTA?

The Fresh and Secure Trade Alliance (FASTA) brings together top national research expertise in regulatory market access and in-field pest management, specifically targeting the challenges posed by fruit flies and other trade barriers in horticulture. Delivered through Hort Innovation and led by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, in collaboration with industry, this eight year program will  solidify Australia’s strong pest-management reputation for years to come.

What research is FASTA conducting?

The FASTA program is focused on two areas:

• Delivering robust and timely datasets to underpin market access negotiations: State and Territory governments will work together to standardise their approach to collecting phytosanitary, or pest and disease management, data.  This data demonstrates that Australia’s produce is pest-free while also ensuring the impact of phytosanitary treatments on fruit quality will be minimised. These datasets will be used to open new export markets for Australian produce and improve conditions to existing ones.
  
  
• Increasing understanding about fruit fly and other key pests: A multi-discipline, multi-organisational research team of more than 70 scientists from across Australia have been assembled to test new technologies for tracking pests, trapping pests and reducing pest pressure. Theprogramwill increase Australia’s capabilities in pest management  and facilitate world-class research.

Why is this research needed?

Insect pests are a major challenge for Australia’s horticultural producers as they impact production and domestic and international trade. Before new trade can commence,  partners require evidence that Australia’s horticulture exports are pest free. This program aims to enhance existing and future partner confidence in the safety of Australian horticulture products.

Who are the alliance partners?

FASTA is a partnership between Hort Innovation, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (WA); the Queensland University of Technology, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (VIC), the Western Sydney University, the Department of Tourism, Industry and Trade (NT), the Australian Blueberry Growers’ Association, James Cook University, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (SA) and GreenSkin Avocados, with levy funding from the avocado and strawberry industries, and support from the Australian Government. 

FASTA news

• Historic $130M trade alliance to supercharge Aussie horticulture exports
  
  
• Gaining momentum: Australia's $130M horticulture export push powers ahead

Find out more

Follow FASTA on LinkedIn here to receive regular updates on the program’s progress.