Managing plant biosecurity in the Pacific region

The island nations of the Pacific are scattered across a vast expanse of ocean and face many unique plant biosecurity challenges. This talk will focus on biosecurity as it relates to traditional crops such as banana, coconut, sweet potato and taro, and highlight specific case studies to demonstrate difficulties with containing and controlling pests and pathogens in this region. Some of the most serious pests and pathogens such as the coconut rhinoceros beetle and banana bunchy top virus date back 100 years to the period of European colonization but are still proving difficult to control, with new spread pathways still being uncovered. There are other emerging pests and pathogens such as the coconut and banana wilt-associated phytoplasmas, which are likely indigenous to the region but for reasons that are unclear, are increasing in importance. Lessons that have been learnt from these case studies will be discussed and recommendations for the future put forward. Australia has a vested interest in ensuring a strong biosecurity system in this region as it represents a major entry point for pests and pathogens that could affect our northern Australian agricultural industries.