PHA partnership supports avocado industry biosecurity efforts

Plant Health Australia (PHA) continues to work closely with Avocados Australia to boost industry’s biosecurity preparedness. For 2026, PHA will deliver a suite of updated resources and learning events over the coming months.

These resources are designed specifically to strengthen biosecurity awareness, coordination and response capability for the avocado industry. These resources have been developed by PHA to support achievement of objectives under the Hort Innovation project AV21002 – Avocado Industry Biosecurity Strategy 2022 – 2026. This project has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the Avocado industry research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government.

Factsheets

A refreshed series of factsheets for Avocado pests, updated by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (QDPI) and PHA, are now available in the Biosecurity section 🔗 of the Best Practice Resource (BPR) here. These updated factsheets provide growers with the latest information on the key exotic pests and diseases that could significantly impact avocado production and trade.

The factsheets also provide growers and agronomists with an understanding of how they can recognise these species, how they move on and around farms and what growers can do to protect their businesses and their industry from these exotic pests.

Industry Liaison Training

Industry Liaison training provides participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively represent their industry during biosecurity emergency responses under the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD). PHA is running Industry Liaison training for industry signatories in Mildura, Victoria (29th April), Bundaberg, QLD (18th August) and Darwin, NT (15th October) this year. If you are interested in attending the training please contact Avocados Australia to receive a registration link.

Biosecurity Preparedness Webinars

PHA has also been working with Avocados Australia to design and deliver two interactive webinars for the Avocado industry. The 3-hour webinars will run on the 19th May (East coast) and 26th August (West coast) and will provide industry participants across the country the opportunity to learn more about current biosecurity priorities and preparedness activities.

The sessions will include information on the economic impacts of Avocado High Priority Pests (HPPs), on farm biosecurity resources and Owner Reimbursement Costs. Participants will hear from expert researchers and have the opportunity to ask questions and engage with subject matter experts.

Together, these initiatives improve understanding and awareness on key exotic pests, helping the Avocado industry to prepare their businesses to meet the challenges associated with the incursion of exotic pests to Australia. By building knowledge, strengthening networks and providing practical tools, PHA and Avocados Australia continue to ensure the sector plays a strong role in protecting Australia’s biosecurity system.

This article appears as part of the 10 April 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.