Australia pineapples

Australia’s horticulture industries are set to benefit from new biosecurity plans developed by Plant Health Australia (PHA) for the pineapple, tomato, blueberry and tree nut industries.

Each of the four plans was developed by PHA alongside the government and industry exporters, and has now been endorsed buy the Plant Health Committee.

“By identifying the exotic pests that pose the greatest risk to each industry, the plans allow preparedness and prevention measures to be agreed and implemented,” PHA programme manager horticulture cropping Alison Saunders said.

“These protective measures are also set out in each plan, which is important because it makes sure that all the players in the biosecurity system are working together to guard against those particular pests.”

The plans outline plant biosecruity measure for governments, industries and growers, with a focus on pre-emptive planning to keep Australia free of pests that have affect horticulture industries overseas.