Pest Interception Workshop

The Northern Australia Biosecurity Strategy (NABS) today hosted a Pest Interception Workshop, bringing together stakeholders to share insights on pests being detected at Australia’s international border. The workshop provides stakeholders with the latest data to support planning, surveillance, and preparedness across northern Australia.

Presentations from experts in entomology and plant pathology highlighted trends in entomology and plant pathology interceptions. A key message from the data presented is clear: our border biosecurity system is working. A significant number of pests are being intercepted before they reach Australia.

Key highlights included:

• An increase in hitchhiker pests in 2024–25

• A decrease in pests associated with cut flowers

• Detections of organisms of unacceptable biosecurity risk (UBRs), including pests such as the Brown marmorated stink bug, Khapra beetle, Coffee berry borer, and the Peanut snail, along with plant pathogens such as Colletotrichum aenigma

By sharing this information, NABS aims to:

• Strengthen collaboration across the biosecurity community

• Support proactive planning and surveillance

• Increase confidence in Australia’s border biosecurity system

Through initiatives like this, NABS continues to implement the objectives of the Northern Australia Biosecurity Strategy, strengthening partnerships, enhancing capacity, and promoting proactive approaches to protecting northern Australia’s unique environment and agriculture.