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In early December 2024, the 66th meeting of the Plant Health Committee—the peak government plant biosecurity policy and decision-making forum—took place in Canberra followed by a Border/Near Border workshop and field trip to Port Kembla (in Wollongong) and Sydney.The workshop and field trip…
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Weeds are a serious threat to Australia's environment and primary industries.Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus), cat’s claw creeper (Dolichandra unguis-cati) and Madeira vine (Anredera cordifolia) are declared Weeds of National Significance (WoNS) for their invasiveness and potential for spread. They…
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Key meetingsAs Australian Chief Plant Protection Officer, Dr Gabrielle Vivian-Smith’s work aims to protect Australia’s plant-based industries and plants in our natural environment from exotic and harmful plant pests and diseases.Gabrielle represents the Australian Government in national…
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COVID-19. Mpox. Avian influenza. These recent outbreaks have made one thing clear—we must stay ahead of emerging diseases that pose a risk of transmission between animals and humans. The consequences of these spillover events extend far beyond public and animal health. They can upend livelihoods,…
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In March 2024, the Timor-Leste Government reported the first confirmed fatal human case of rabies to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health. Recognising the importance of addressing rabies at a regional level, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and…
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Anatid herpesvirus-1Duck viral enteritis (DVE), also known as duck plague, is one of Australia’s higher-risk exotic environmental diseases.DVE is a contagious and often fatal infection that occurs in wild and domestic ducks, geese, swans and other waterfowl of the Anatidae family. It is not found…
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“Our rich and delicate biodiversity is made up of more than 600,000 organisms, and many are not found anywhere else on earth. These irreplaceable environmental assets underpin our $90 billion agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries, and the international trade that comes from them. They also…
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