You can now help a cross-industry project develop a mobile plant pest surveillance network tackling the major problem pests facing growers and farmers around the country, simply by filling out a survey about the pests affecting you and your crops.

The survey aims to help Hort Innovation deliver a first-of-its-kind biosecurity program to develop a surveillance network by constructing eight temporary plant pest surveillance stations (or ‘flexi-hubs’) across Australia. These flexi-hubs will trap problematic pests affecting major cropping regions around Australia, providing benefits to regions and producers involved in the production of grains, horticultural products, wine grapes, cotton, sugar, forestry products and other emerging products.

Answers to the survey will significantly assist project partners to determine the most suitable locations for where and when this national project will place the flexi-hub. As this project gathers more information, industry will also develop a better understanding of current pest distribution, supporting ongoing biosecurity efforts and work to manage and control these pests.

You can click here to access the survey. Every response to this survey helps project partners develop an effective plan for the project, so please fill it out at your earliest convenience.

It is currently planned for the survey to remain open until 1 June 2018. For any queries regarding the project, please contact AUSVEG Project Officers Lisa Brassington or Nikita Chawla on 03 9882 0277.

This post appeared in the AUSVEG Weekly Update published 15 May 2018 and 8 May 2018. Subscribe to the Update using our online form to receive the latest industry news in your inbox every week!