Plant Biosecurity Science Foundation

Introducing PBSF

A new not for profit charity, the Australian Plant Biosecurity Science Foundation (APBSF), has been established to follow the Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre (PBCRC) which finishes operations in June 2018. The intent of the Foundation is to support plant biosecurity research, development, extension and capacity building, particularly focused where there is a need for investment in cross-sectoral, strategic, capacity building, international linkages, non-levy payer research and environmental plant biosecurity.

Establishment of the Foundation will be supported with unspent funds from PBCRC. It will also invest in commercial IP developed by PBCRC from which it is hoped, in the long term, that a return may be realised. Should a revenue stream be derived from IP, the Foundation will manage and invest those funds in plant biosecurity science.

The Foundation is a Company limited by Guarantee, ACNC registered with the structure in place to apply for Deductible Gift Recipient status in the future. It is governed by a Board of Directors who are elected by the members of the company. (APBSF Ltd Constitution)

APBSF Ltd Constitution

Vision

Australian plant production systems, markets and environments are protected from invasive pests and diseases through an effective plant biosecurity system.

Mission

Our mission is to invest, co-invest, collaborate and partner in research, development, extension, delivery and capacity building activities that will assist in safeguarding Australia, its plant industries and regional communities through enhanced plant biosecurity.

Have your say on the draft Myrtle Rust Action Plan

Myrtle Rust is a plant disease that poses a serious and urgent threat to Australia’s native biodiversity. The Plant Biosecurity CRC, in collaboration with the Australian Government’s National Environmental Science Program has developed a draft Action Plan to guide a coordinated national environmental response to Myrtle Rust. The Plan was prepared in consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders.

The goals of the draft Action Plan are to minimise declines and extinctions of native species due to Myrtle Rust, and minimise decline in the integrity and function of their host ecosystems.

Myrtle Rust in Australia: A draft Action Plan is now open for public consultation and we want your input!!

Please share the Plan with your networks and email your feedback to MRActionPlan@apbsf.org.au by 31 August 2018.

The draft Action Plan is supported by Myrtle Rust reviewed: The impacts of the invasive plant pathogen Austropuccinia psidii on the Australian environment (R.O. Makinson 2018). We are not seeking feedback on this document but it is a valuable resource to be read in conjunction with the draft Action Plan.

Myrtle Rust Action Plan:
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What is plant biosecurity

Plant Biosecurity is a set of measures designed to protect a crop, crops or a sub-group of crops from emergency plant pests at national, regional and individual farm levels.

– Plant Health Australia 2005, Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed

Why is plant biosecurity important?

Plant Biosecurity is a global issue. Harmful plant pests and diseases can impact on our unique environment and biodiversity, food safety, agricultural trade and market access.

Australia is relatively free from many of the plant pests and diseases which seriously impact on agricultural industries and the environment in other countries. Through the absence of many pests and diseases commonly found overseas, our natural environment is protected and Australia’s plant industries have a valuable competitive advantage and insurance policy.

If these pests found their way into Australia, the economic viability of Australia’s plant industries (with a crop production value of $14 billion in exports and $8 billion in domestic markets) would be directly threatened. Even the perception of pests in Australian produce would have a rapid and negative impact on Australia’s reputation as a producer of safe, quality food products.

Early detection of pests and diseases saves taxpayers millions of dollars in eradication and management. But as more people travel and more cargo is shipped around the world, and as the climate changes Australia’s biosecurity shield is under increasing pressure.

Why a Science Foundation?

Australia’s biosecurity status is the envy of the world. Our future as an agricultural trading nation and as a global biodiversity hotspot depends on it. Our status is due in large part to decades of investment in quality biosecurity science.

Biosecurity science is rapidly evolving and this will need to continue to evolve. It also features a complex system of responsibilities and operations with the Commonwealth, States, communities and industry all playing key roles.

Science and innovation has built Australia’s strong biosecurity status. A shared responsibility for investment in science and innovation is essential. International collaboration, for strategic alignment and scientific excellence, is essential.

Australia needs to continue the collaborative network between communities, governments, research and industry in Australia and overseas built over nearly two decades by the PBCRC. This is a major imperative for the establishment of the Australian Plant Biosecurity Science Foundation.

What we do

Invest

Invest in plant biosecurity research, development, extension and delivery activities, through programs and projects, scientific capacity building (scholarships and internships), masterclasses (Australian and overseas) and fellowships, and management of Plant Biosecurity CRC Intellectual Property commercial activity which may generate revenue for plant biosecurity science.

Science hub

A plant biosecurity science and knowledge sharing ‘hub’ of plant biosecurity stakeholders and a network of plant biosecurity scientists.

Advocate

Advocate the importance of investment in plant biosecurity science globally, regionally and nationally for agriculture, the environment, regional communities, biodiversity and food security.

Partnerships

Collaborate and partner in Australia and overseas to attract, develop and manage grants and funds which advance plant biosecurity science.

Become a member

The Foundation will foster and grow the collaborative network between communities, governments, research and industry in Australia and overseas developed by the Plant Biosecurity CRC.

Members will benefit from:

Supporting plant biosecurity research, development, extension and delivery activities, including improved science through projects, research scholarships, internships, masterclasses and fellowships;
Participation which may include co-investment in APBSF managed programs, joint ventures, partnerships and investments with others in Australia and overseas around member identified gaps in plant biosecurity collaborative research, for example environmental biosecurity, post-harvest grains, science capacity building, international linkages (such as developing country biosecurity capacity building masterclasses);
Investment in plant biosecurity science using commercial returns generated from APBSF ownership of Plant Biosecurity CRC Intellectual Property assets if and when they eventuate;
APBSF attracting, developing and managing grants and funds which advance plant biosecurity science;
Being part of a plant biosecurity science and knowledge sharing ‘hub’ of plant biosecurity stakeholders and plant biosecurity scientists;
Advocating the importance of investing in plant biosecurity science globally, regionally and nationally for agriculture, the environment, regional communities, biodiversity and food security;
Voting through each membership class to appoint APBSF Directors at General Meetings.

Membership is outlined in the Company Constitution Clause 4. Each application for membership is approved by the Board in accordance with the Company Constitution.

Membership classes have been established which recognise and facilitate participation in the Foundation by the diverse stakeholder group which exists in plant biosecurity science. Stakeholders include large and small commercial and public organisations, community and industry groups and individuals. The classes enable all stakeholders who wish to be members to participate in the APBSF, pay an appropriate membership fee and have their voices heard through a voting structure which is outlined in the Company Constitution.

Membership classes:

Research, development extension and capacity building provider;
Regulatory Member – the entity has an interest in the Plant Biosecurity Sector as a biosecurity regulator;
Industry Member – the entity is an Industry end user or is an entity which is part of the Plant Biosecurity Sector; and
General Member – the Applicant is a part of, or is interested in, the Plant Biosecurity Sector. In the case of an individual, they cannot represent an entity.

Members pay an annual fee appropriate to their membership class. Fees are charged on a financial year basis.

2018/19 Fees: