Biosecurity Matters Edition 1, 2025

We're back in 2025 bringing you the latest biosecurity news and updates. In this issue we're outlining how the National Biosecurity Strategy Action Plan will guide the vital work of strengthening our biosecurity system.  Discover how AI is helping scientists tackle the Australian locust plague.   Read about the global innovation challenge to save honey bees, and so much more! Action plan paves the way for Australian biosecurity  Australia's inaugural National Biosecurity Strategy Action Plan guides the vital work of strengthening our national biosecurity by outlining activities and priorities for governments and industries.  Read more Be a good egg this Easter and bring chocolate only Easter is just around the corner and it's important to remember the rules that keep Australia safe. One of them is about eggs! If you're celebrating, remember it's only eggs of the chocolate variety that are allowed to be brought into Australia.  Read more AI to help scientists forecast devastating locust plagues Australian plague locusts are an endemic pest that threatens our agricultural industry, devastating crops, and causing losses of up to $30 million. By harnessing cutting edge science, experts can forecast locust outbreaks with greater accuracy, helping mitigate economic impacts. Read more Global innovation challenge to save honey bees Mites like Varroa are threatening Australia's $14 billion honey bee industry. A new global innovation challenge has been launched to find technologies for detecting and managing European honey bee mites. Read more Don't let seeds cost your pocket and Australia's environment  Are you aware of the consequences of importing seeds that don't comply with Australia's strict biosecurity import conditions? Purchasing a packet of seeds online may only cost you a few dollars, but they can impact Australia's native plant and agricultural resources as well as hit your pocket hard with infringements. Read more New fumigation methodology comes into force in May The fumigation of cargo entering Australia is one of the best defences we have against hitchhiker pests that could be present in consignments from overseas. On 1 May 2025, version 3.0 of the methyl bromide fumigation methodology will come into force. Read more Enhancing public participation in biosecurity surveillance  Biosecurity is a shared responsibility and community involvement in biosecurity surveillance is central to reducing the introduction and impact of pests, weeds and diseases in Australia. Read more Battling BMSB on the front line There has been a recent rise in detections of the exotic Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) by the department and state and territory governments, with over 26 active responses in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. Read more Continually improving General Surveillance Programs A new guide on monitoring and evaluating processes for general surveillance programs is set to boost our biosecurity efforts. General surveillance programs are vital initiatives that involve people from all walks of life to detect and report pests, weeds and diseases.  Read more Recognising the unsung heroes of entomology  The Operational Science and Surveillance's Entomology team have just experienced their busiest Brown Marmorated Stink Bug season to date, dealing with a record number of detections. Read more Take our short survey and help us improve Biosecurity Matters! Share Tweet Share