National Diagnostic Protocols (NDPs) and National Surveillance protocols (NSPs) are integral components of Australia’s plant biosecurity system, enhancing the country’s preparedness for emergency plant pest responses. NDPs support accurate and consistent detection of pests. Similarly, NSPs serve as the first point of reference for developing surveillance plans on specific plant pests or pest groups. The development, review and endorsement of these critical biosecurity documents require extensive coordination between subject matter experts and national sub-committees.
Since the endorsement of the first NDP in 2008, the Subcommittee on Plant Health Diagnostics has endorsed a total of 53 NDPs, with support received from the Diagnostic Protocol Working Group. An important achievement has been the establishment of linkages between NDP review and verification to training opportunities aimed at providing skills for pest identification to users to accurately identify exotic and high priority plant pests. For Example, the NDP 53 (cyst nematode) was used for training of diagnosticians from each jurisdiction to upskill their knowledge, in addition, each participant provided verification evidence which contributed to the endorsement of the NDP. Meanwhile, it has been recognised that developing and maintaining NDPs for all pests is not feasible. An approach to address this is to utilize non-NDP resources that are already available and can be used for pests that do not have an endorsed NDP. Therefore, a complimentary standard is currently being developed to assess the suitability of non-NDP resources for use in Australia.
At present four NSPs (citrus canker, brown marmorated stink bug, spongy and nun moth and khapra beetle) have been endorsed by Subcommittee of Plant Health Surveillance, and 23 draft NSPs are progressing towards endorsement, with assistance received from the National Surveillance Protocol Working Group. A highlight has been the significant involvement of industry in reviewing NSPs to ensure practical surveillance outcomes for all parties.
Plant Health Australia (PHA) coordinates the entire process of NDP and NSP development with funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). In this context, this presentation will provide an overview of development and endorsement processes for both NDPs and NSPs while highlighting recent achievements, including the benefits and training opportunities these protocol development offer users. It will also discuss the lessons learnt in recent years and the strategies currently being implemented to address ongoing challenges.