Funded by The Australian Research Council (Discovery Project)

Funding Amount: $552,033

Project start date: 2023

Researchers

  • Prof Kathryn Glass (CI), ANU
  • A/Prof Robert Clark (CI), ANU
  • A/Prof Aparna Lal (CI), ANU
  • Dr Sumon Das (Postdoctoral Fellow), ANU
  • Dr Angus McLure (Postdoctoral Fellow), ANU
  • Dr Mahdi Parsa (PI), Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
  • Dr Belinda Barnes (PI), Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Project Description

Surveillance and sampling to maintain absence of pests and diseases. This project aims to develop empirically validated statistical and mathematical methods for industry and government to deliver more efficient biosecurity surveillance programs. The project endeavours to enhance biosecurity at the border and within Australia, while minimising the costs and burden of testing. Expected project outcomes include effective surveillance and sampling for high-priority threats, accessible software for decision-makers, and generalisable approaches to address rapidly increasing biosecurity risks. Significant benefits include maintaining absence of key pathogens and pests in Australia.

National Interest Statement

Biosecurity surveillance at our border is critical to minimise and mitigate threats to Australia. Threats include disease vectors, plant, animal, and human pathogens. This project aims to develop robust statistical and mathematical methods to support effective and efficient surveillance of high-priority threats, with flexibility to apply these methods to newly emerged risks. Outcomes include new evidence and accessible decision support tools for policy makers to inform biosecurity within Australia and testing of imported consignments of goods. Partnership with the Department of Agriculture ensures practical solutions to Australia’s agricultural and food sector, with findings directly applicable to reduction of biosecurity risks. Significant benefits include maintaining absence of key pathogens and pests in Australia, enabling industry to benefit from disease-free status.