Improving biosecurity preparedness in the Australian mango industry (MT24011)

Challenge  

The Australian mango industry faces the risk of several high priority exotic pests and diseases, which, if present in mango production regions, could significantly disrupt mango production. The highest priority pest is a species of exotic fruit fly, which could severely impact the movement of mangoes and jeopardise business viability in production regions. The presence of such pests would not only affect local production but also restrict market access and trade.    

Response 

To counter these threats, this project is establishing frameworks to protect businesses and the industry from the impact of exotic pest incursions. The project will engage with various stakeholders, including government bodies, growers, regional organisations, allied businesses, and other fruit and vegetable industries, to foster a collaborative approach to biosecurity.   

Key activities include:  

1. Surveillance: Undertaking surveillance at selected sites from flowering to harvest, including packing shed surveillance for key exotic and regionally significant pests in the Northern Territory, Queensland, and northern Western Australia.
2. Regional biosecurity plans: Developing regional plans that address exotic and key regionally established pests, assessing threats at both regional and national levels.
3. Biosecurity best practices and business/orchard biosecurity plans: Creating risk appropriate orchard biosecurity plan templates and guides to encourage the adoption of business and orchard biosecurity. These resources will be delivered to growers through multiple platforms including workshops and one-on-one meetings.
4. Fruit movement protocols: Collaborating with Commonwealth, State, and Territory jurisdictions to develop protocols that allow growers to maintain trade or minimise market restrictions during an exotic pest incursion.
5. Industry engagement: Offering advice and support for biosecurity preparedness initiatives and facilitating linkages between industry stakeholders and government agencies to ensure a coordinated and effective focus on key biosecurity issues and activities.
6. Owner Reimbursement Cost Framework: Utilising the existing Owner Reimbursement Cost Framework for tree crops and developing a mango specific Owner Reimbursement Cost Framework that accounts for regional and varietal differences.  

Benefit  

By enhancing biosecurity preparedness, this project will:  

• Strengthen the industry's biosecurity capabilities, increasing resilience and fostering improved knowledge, attitudes, skills, and aspirations to prepare for and respond to priority exotic pest incursions.
• Elevate biosecurity preparedness from national, regional and business perspectives.
• Expand opportunities for engagement between mango industry members and biosecurity staff in federal and state/territory departments, ensuring a unified approach to biosecurity challenges.