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About

The Biosecurity Portal (BSP) is a jointly funded initiative between the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) and Plant Health Australia (PHA) to provide a centralised repository and gateway to online biosecurity information for collaboration and sharing. In essence, the BSP aims to strengthen Australia’s biosecurity research, surveillance, diagnostic and response capability, by enabling researchers, industry and governments, to collaborate, use expertise, share data, information, and generate intelligence using leading edge tools and technologies made available through the BSP’s online workspaces.

At the completion of the department’s development funding for the Biosecurity Portal there will be a self-supporting operational system (including hardware, software and maintenance) that can be marketed to researchers, industry and governments that delivers against its core purposes.

  • Collaborative workspaces and knowledge bases
  • Advanced workflow automation
  • Low cost web hosting services
  • Centralised information repositories and sharing

Xylella Preparedness Coordination

Welcome to the Xylella Preparedness Coordination site.

Xylella fastidiosa (Xylella) is regarded as Australia’s number 1 plant biosecurity threat with over 560 potential host species including grape, citrus, olives, cherries, some tree nuts, apples and pears plus a number of ornamental and native species known to be at risk. First detected in California in the 1880’s, Xylella is present in Central and South America and across southern Europe, the Middle East and Taiwan. Xylella infects the xylem tissue in host plants, restricting water and nutrient uptake, so the symptoms can be mistaken for water or heat stress but can lead to stunted growth, leaf scorch and, in many cases, plant death. Transmission is primarily through xylem-feeding insect vectors with the Glassy winged sharp shooter (GWSS) and some spittlebugs regarded as the most efficient vectors.

A number of projects are currently underway to enhance Australia’s preparedness for an incursion of Xylella and collaborative work with NZ, UK and USA researchers underway to support contingency planning and capability development activities.

Any suspected detection of Xylella or GWSS in Australia should be reported to the Exotic Plant Pest hotline on 1800 084 881.

Further information on Xylella can be found at:


THIS SITE HAS BEEN CLOSED - Effective July 1, 2022, pleaserefer to the above URLs for further information

 

Relevant Links

 Enquiries

For more information on preparedness activities contact the Coordinator of the National Xylella Preparedness Program at craig.elliott@wineaustralia.com