The biosecurity surveillance system for the grains industry: A gaps and opportunity analysis

To ensure the long-term viability and sustainability of the Australian grains industry, it is important to mitigate risks associated with exotic pests and effectively respond to plant pest threats. This necessitates an efficient and robust biosecurity surveillance system for grains pests and diseases, which maximises the probability of early detection of exotic incursions, thereby reducing eradication costs and increasing their likelihood of success. Additionally, this system can provide evidence of absence data to support trade.

Many surveillance programs for exotic and endemic grain pests and diseases currently exist yet often operate independently, leading to possible duplication and fragmentation. To address this and other challenges, the National Grain Biosecurity Surveillance Strategy 2019 - 2029 was developed to guide leadership, management and coordination of surveillance activities for high priority grain pests and pests of market access concern. Additionally, a broader Nationally Integrated Surveillance System for Plant Pests is being developed but is yet to be finalised.

GRDC is investing in a consultancy to review gaps and opportunities in the grains biosecurity surveillance system. This analysis will consider national strategies, implementation plans, and industry needs, involving consultation with diverse stakeholders in the grains industry and biosecurity sector.

Ultimately, a nationally coordinated grains biosecurity surveillance system is required that delivers services in the most cost-efficient manner. This objective may be achieved through improved coordination and expansion of existing surveillance activities, or by exploring alternative models. The second component of this consultancy is to provide business cases relating to the gaps analysis and future opportunities. An understanding of the costs associated with potential future surveillance models and their reciprocal benefits is required. The successful tenderer will collaborate with the GRDC economics team to deliver this output.